Returning to my semi-regular feature, we arrive in Central Asia.
But it has become one of the more consistently challenging things to write about!
There are just too many damn films.
Which is definitely a good problem.
It would be terrible if there was a dearth of quality cinema out there.
Armenia
Cinema has played an important part in Armenian culture since close to the invention of the technology.
In fact, Armenia established a state committee on cinema way back in 1924.
The UK still does not have one in 2011.
Azerbaijan
Even older than the Armenian cinema is Azerbaijans.
Cinema here dates back to 1898, which are only a few short years after its official launch.
(August 2nd, in case you were wondering.)
Russia
Russian cinema rightly has a long and celebrated history of innovation, quality and lasting legacy.
Sergei Eisenstein was a particular titan of the age, with hisBattleship Potemkinsurely known by any cinema aficionado.
He also published academically, and his Film Form is required reading on many film theory courses.
Kazakhstan
No, Im not going to recommendBorat!
This, of course, will be my choice here!
Mongolis the first entry in a trilogy and begins the epic tale of Genghis Khan.
Turkmenistan
Ok, so information about the cinema of Turkmenistan is pretty scarce to come by.
But you cannot fault the film infrastructure and legacy they gave to these countries.
This has continued up until today, past the Soviet collapse.
Between 1991 and 2000, only 12 films were produced.
Oh, and getting himself involved in crime, of course.
