Interview with Oguljamal Yazlieva Global Voices

The importance of cinema in understanding national culture and identity cannot be overstated. This is especially true for countries like Turkmenistan, which is known as one of the most isolated and closed places in the world, making it difficult for researchers and ordinary tourists to visit and study Turkmen culture.

In such a difficult context, cinema becomes one of the few available means for immersion in Turkmen culture and studying the daily life of the Turkmen people. Fortunately, you can find many Turkmen films on the Internet that can serve as a guide to the history, culture and identity of Turkmenistan.

This article is an excerpt from interview conducted with Ms. Oguljamal Yazlievaacademician researcher Central Asian studies with an emphasis on Turkmenistan and representatives of the Turkmen nation. In the interview, she talks about how Turkmen cinema reflects the deep historical roots of the nation and serves as a powerful means of preserving its rich cultural heritage.

Kechpelek: A Story of Love and Music

“Kechpelek” (“Bitter Fate”) is one of the most memorable and iconic Turkmen films. It was produced by Ovlyakuli Kuliev in the 1970s. The film is a touching love story set against the backdrop of Turkmen musical traditions and everyday life. It tells the story of a Turkmen bagshi (musician) named Berdymurat, played by a famous actor. Baba Annanov. Kechpelek tells the love story of Berdymurat and a Turkmen girl named Maral.

The film depicts the daily life of Turkmen society, from the wedding in the opening scenes to family and social relationships. The action takes place against the backdrop of everyday life – quarrels, conflicts, cooking and sharing dinner, communication, games and love. The music for the film was written by the legendary Turkmen composer. Nury Halmamedov. He plays a special role in the film, showing how art brings people together. “This is a very sad story, but it perfectly reflects the role of music in the life of the Turkmen people,” reflects Yazlieva.

Here is a link to “Kechpelek” on YouTube.

The film’s soundtrack is an integral part of the narrative, weaving together the emotions of the characters and the traditions of the Turkmen people. The songs sung on behalf of the main character were performed by a popular singer. Annaberdy Atdanov. Music won great popularity and the love of TV viewers. Over the years, the staple soundtrack became part of daily life in Turkmenistan as people began to use it at funerals, wakes, and other sad life-cycle events that require solemn and powerful music.

“The music in the film is incredibly famous and meaningful. It’s more than just a background; this is part of history,” Yazlieva notes.

Here is a link to “Mukam”, one of the songs of “Kechpelek” performed by Annaberda Atdanov, on YouTube.

Shukur Bagshi: Music as a weapon of peace

One of the most iconic films in Turkmen cinema is “Shukur Bagshiy(Competition), a film by a Turkmen director of Tatar origin Bulat Mansurov. The film is based on a story Nurmyrat Sarykhanov. It shows the power of music in the face of conflict, telling the story of a Turkmen sack named Shukur who takes his toll dutarTurkmen national musical instrument, for war instead of weapons. When his brother is taken hostage by the Persian ruler, Shukur convinces his fellow tribesmen not to start a war, but to allow him to try to free his brother through a music competition at the Persian ruler’s court.

“When they asked him why he brought his instrument, he (Shukur) replied: “I will fight with my music,” recalls Yazlieva.

The central narrative revolves around a musical competition between a Persian musician named Ghulam and Shukur, in which Shukur’s brother’s freedom is at stake. In the end, the Turkmen musician’s peaceful solution through music defeats the violence, freeing his brother captured by the Persians.

A philosophical film about the fate and role of man. He poses questions such as: Is it justifiable for a hundred people to die for one? Can a person live in peace? When is it necessary to take up a weapon, and when can a musical instrument serve as a weapon? How much can you trust the authorities and the enemy?

Through the prism of a music competition, with music specifically mugham – occupying 90 percent of the film, there is a powerful anti-war message, as well as a statement about the need for power in people’s lives. The dialogue is deep and the film remains relevant today.

For example, in response to his vizier’s timid question as to whether a victory for the Turkmen would jeopardize their rule, the Persian Khan replies: “If he loses, the people will go to war inspired, and if he wins, they will go to war in search of revenge.”

“This film is very symbolic. It talks about the peace-loving nature of the Turkmen people – they do not want war; they try to solve problems with love, music and peace,” explains Yazlieva.

Although there is no historical or any other data that would prove that the Turkmen people are more peaceful than other peoples and that they resolved conflicts through music and other peaceful means, Turkmenistan has taken the path of peaceful coexistence in modern times.

In 1995, four years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan officially adopted neutrality as the cornerstone of its foreign policy and pledged not to take sides in any armed conflicts. The country’s neutral status, recognized by the UN, also means that it will not join any military blocs or host military bases on its territory.

Here is the link to “Shukur Bagshi” on YouTube.

Turkmen cinema as a repository of culture

For Yazlieva, Turkmen cinema is more than just entertainment; it is a repository of national history, values ​​and identity.

If you watch Turkmen films, you can learn a lot about our culture and our history. Turkmen culture is open and hospitable, but it is important for the world to understand us more deeply. Films are a way for people of different backgrounds to connect and learn from each other.

Turkmen cinema, with its rich storytelling and cultural depth, plays vital role in bridging the gap between Turkmenistan and the rest of the world.

As Yazlieva emphasizes, “Cinema helps expand knowledge about people, their history, their development. It’s a way to connect with others and preserve our heritage for future generations.”

Themes of peace, love and artistic expression run through the films. In a globalized world where cross-border understanding is more important than ever, Turkmen films are a testament to the enduring power of cultural diplomacy through the arts.