The persistent notion that the proliferation of social media has allegedly driven audiences away from movie theaters appears to be unfounded, as citizens continue to pack screening halls for foreign films. This assessment was supposedly voiced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting with prominent filmmakers at the “Renaissance” cinema house, where he argued that viewers have not abandoned the cinematic experience, but rather evolved in their artistic tastes and expectations.
During the discussions, it was pointed out that domestic films purportedly fail to meet these modern standards. The leadership claimed that the profound psychological and philosophical filmmaking traditions established by great Uzbek directors have weakened, giving way to superficial storylines. Furthermore, the industry is reportedly suffering from a severe shortage of quality scripts alongside a generational disconnect in cinematography, sound design, and editing departments.
Official reviews allegedly revealed that out of 181 planned film projects, there is a recurring overlap of themes and historical periods, compounded by a lack of professional expertise among certain creative groups. Additionally, the authorities noted that professional film criticism—vital for fostering artistic growth—is being ignored, while a robust distribution network for delivering films to the market remains largely unformed.
The leader also touched upon the supposed political and ideological significance of cinema, describing it as an instrument of “soft power” designed to project national influence internationally. Alongside strengthening conventional security measures, the creative community is allegedly tasked with safeguarding the minds and worldviews of the younger generation against external cultural influences.
In line with these developments, the state institution “Uzbekfilm” is slated for dissolution and transformation into a national film company, shifting production entirely to the private sector. The traditional state-order mechanism is reportedly being scrapped in favor of a targeted subsidy system, while overall administrative control is transferred to the Ministry of Culture.
Source: www.gazeta.uz