Takhir Sabirov
Encyclopedia
Takhir Sabirov (born December 21, 1929 in Stalinabad (USSR) now Dushanbe
, Tajikistan
) is a renowned Tajik film director, actor, screenwriter, art director, and one of most notable figures of the Tajik cinema. He is known as the "founding father" of the 1001 Nights dynasty of the film industry due to his creation of the 'Scheherazade
' trilogy.
He is also known by his formal name Takhir Mukhtorovich Sabirov. His mother Mastona Sobir Zoda was the daughter of Duke Sobir-kaloni Tura-zoda of Samarkand
(now part of the Samarqand Province
, Uzbekistan), from the Duchy
of
Greater Khorasan
, known as Tura-zoda, who were eminent members of Central Asia's Aristocracy
. Takhir was the youngest of five children. He was married twice and has two sons and three daughters.
He completed the Performing Arts discipline at the Tashkent State Art Institute of Theatrical Arts in Tashkent
, Uzbekistan
. In 1951, he then continued further by obtaining his Directorial discipline under faculty of Yuri Zavadsky
at The Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow
, Russia
.
His first film, "Roh" (1955) (Russian title: Дорога) produced by Mosfilm
initiated him into the film industry, but the role of Yodgor in "Dokhunda" (1956) sparked his career and was followed by several successful roles. His directorial debut was in "Vaqti zangirii pisar rasid" (Russian title: "Sinu para jinitsa", 1959), which was the first comedy musical motion picture in the Cinema of Tajikistan
. With his films he introduced the Tajik film industry onto international scenebasis with his nomination in International film festivals. His film "Margi Sudkhur" (Russian title: "Smert' Rostovshika", 1966) was nominated at the International Film Festival of Asia and Africa in 1968.
His trilogy of "New Tales of Scheherazade", "Another Night of Scheherazade" and "Last Night of Scheherazade" that were based on the Arabic folktale "1001 nights" had made a great impact in the Cinema of Tajikistan
by opening it to European
audiences and borders. The Scheherazade
trilogies were among one of the first Tajik film productions that achieved distribution beyond Russian (former USSR) borders, placing Tajik film on the map of International Film Festivals. Not only has he directed and co-written the Scheherazade
trilogies, but also starred as King
Shahryar (Sultan); which coincidently is more true to his own lineage of royalty. He became a cultural icon
gaining more acknowledgement and respect.
Regardless of the obstacles he had faced in his lifetime, he never stopped filming. He is known in the Tajik film industry as one of the major film directors of his time. He broadened his entertainment field as he established entrepreneurial joint venture "Movarounnahr Joint Venture" as an Art Director. Although he was involved in many fields of the film industry, he always had time to instruct and inspire students and apprentices.
In 1999, he was part of the judging committee in the 21st (XXI) Moscow International Film Festival
. He became the first Tajik film director to be honored with the position of a film judge. In 2002, he was an honorary guest at the 55th (LV) Cannes Film Festival
. Even in his seventy years of age he was involved in film production. However, on May 30, 2002 he died with his film "Khoja Kamoli Khujandi" still in production. In 2003, a street, "Takhir Sabirov Street" was named after his death for his contributions in the Cinema of Tajikistan
(Tajikfilm, Tajik Film Studio).
Dushanbe
-Economy:Coal, lead, and arsenic are mined nearby in the cities of Nurek and Kulob allowing for the industrialization of Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam, the world's highest as of 2008, generates 95% of Tajikistan's electricity, and another dam, the Roghun Dam, is planned on the Vakhsh River...
, Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
) is a renowned Tajik film director, actor, screenwriter, art director, and one of most notable figures of the Tajik cinema. He is known as the "founding father" of the 1001 Nights dynasty of the film industry due to his creation of the 'Scheherazade
Scheherazade
Scheherazade , sometimes Scheherazadea, Persian transliteration Shahrazad or Shahrzād is a legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights.-Narration :...
' trilogy.
He is also known by his formal name Takhir Mukhtorovich Sabirov. His mother Mastona Sobir Zoda was the daughter of Duke Sobir-kaloni Tura-zoda of Samarkand
Samarkand
Although a Persian-speaking region, it was not united politically with Iran most of the times between the disintegration of the Seleucid Empire and the Arab conquest . In the 6th century it was within the domain of the Turkic kingdom of the Göktürks.At the start of the 8th century Samarkand came...
(now part of the Samarqand Province
Samarqand Province
Samarqand Province is a viloyat of Uzbekistan located in the center of the country in the basin of Zarafshan River. It borders with Tajikstan, Navoiy Province, Jizzakh Province and Qashqadaryo Province. It covers an area of 16,400 km²...
, Uzbekistan), from the Duchy
Duchy
A duchy is a territory, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess.Some duchies were sovereign in areas that would become unified realms only during the Modern era . In contrast, others were subordinate districts of those kingdoms that unified either partially or completely during the Medieval era...
of
OF
OF may refer to:* Oxygen fluorides* Air Finland IATA airline designator* Old Firm, a term that refers to Glasgow-based association football clubs Celtic F.C...
Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan or Ancient Khorasan is a historical region of Greater Iran mentioned in sources from Sassanid and Islamic eras which "frequently" had a denotation wider than current three provinces of Khorasan in Iran...
, known as Tura-zoda, who were eminent members of Central Asia's Aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
. Takhir was the youngest of five children. He was married twice and has two sons and three daughters.
He completed the Performing Arts discipline at the Tashkent State Art Institute of Theatrical Arts in Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
. In 1951, he then continued further by obtaining his Directorial discipline under faculty of Yuri Zavadsky
Yuri Zavadsky
Yuri Alexandrovich Zavadsky was a Russian actor and director.Zavadsky studied under Yevgeny Vakhtangov, and made his acting debut at Vakhtangov's theatre, playing Anthony in Maurice Maeterlinck's play The Miracle of St. Anthony in . He worked in various Russian theatres before moving to the...
at The Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
His first film, "Roh" (1955) (Russian title: Дорога) produced by Mosfilm
Mosfilm
Mosfilm is a film studio, which is often described as the largest and oldest in Russia and in Europe. Its output includes most of the more widely-acclaimed Soviet films, ranging from works by Tarkovsky and Eisenstein , to Red Westerns, to the Akira Kurosawa co-production and the epic Война и Мир...
initiated him into the film industry, but the role of Yodgor in "Dokhunda" (1956) sparked his career and was followed by several successful roles. His directorial debut was in "Vaqti zangirii pisar rasid" (Russian title: "Sinu para jinitsa", 1959), which was the first comedy musical motion picture in the Cinema of Tajikistan
Cinema of Tajikistan
The first films in the cinema of Tajikistan were produced in the early 1930s, for example Quand meurent les émirs by Lydia Pechorina in 1932....
. With his films he introduced the Tajik film industry onto international scenebasis with his nomination in International film festivals. His film "Margi Sudkhur" (Russian title: "Smert' Rostovshika", 1966) was nominated at the International Film Festival of Asia and Africa in 1968.
His trilogy of "New Tales of Scheherazade", "Another Night of Scheherazade" and "Last Night of Scheherazade" that were based on the Arabic folktale "1001 nights" had made a great impact in the Cinema of Tajikistan
Cinema of Tajikistan
The first films in the cinema of Tajikistan were produced in the early 1930s, for example Quand meurent les émirs by Lydia Pechorina in 1932....
by opening it to European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
audiences and borders. The Scheherazade
Scheherazade
Scheherazade , sometimes Scheherazadea, Persian transliteration Shahrazad or Shahrzād is a legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights.-Narration :...
trilogies were among one of the first Tajik film productions that achieved distribution beyond Russian (former USSR) borders, placing Tajik film on the map of International Film Festivals. Not only has he directed and co-written the Scheherazade
Scheherazade
Scheherazade , sometimes Scheherazadea, Persian transliteration Shahrazad or Shahrzād is a legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights.-Narration :...
trilogies, but also starred as King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
Shahryar (Sultan); which coincidently is more true to his own lineage of royalty. He became a cultural icon
Cultural icon
A cultural icon can be a symbol, logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group...
gaining more acknowledgement and respect.
Regardless of the obstacles he had faced in his lifetime, he never stopped filming. He is known in the Tajik film industry as one of the major film directors of his time. He broadened his entertainment field as he established entrepreneurial joint venture "Movarounnahr Joint Venture" as an Art Director. Although he was involved in many fields of the film industry, he always had time to instruct and inspire students and apprentices.
In 1999, he was part of the judging committee in the 21st (XXI) Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
. He became the first Tajik film director to be honored with the position of a film judge. In 2002, he was an honorary guest at the 55th (LV) Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. Even in his seventy years of age he was involved in film production. However, on May 30, 2002 he died with his film "Khoja Kamoli Khujandi" still in production. In 2003, a street, "Takhir Sabirov Street" was named after his death for his contributions in the Cinema of Tajikistan
Cinema of Tajikistan
The first films in the cinema of Tajikistan were produced in the early 1930s, for example Quand meurent les émirs by Lydia Pechorina in 1932....
(Tajikfilm, Tajik Film Studio).
Awards and honors
- Laurette of (winner) of the ("Gospremii") State Award of TajikistanTajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
- Accredited National Actor of TajikistanTajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
- People's Artist of TajikistanTajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
(USSR) - Postmortem honor street named Takhir Sabirov Street in DushanbeDushanbe-Economy:Coal, lead, and arsenic are mined nearby in the cities of Nurek and Kulob allowing for the industrialization of Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam, the world's highest as of 2008, generates 95% of Tajikistan's electricity, and another dam, the Roghun Dam, is planned on the Vakhsh River...
, TajikistanTajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
Membership
- USSR Cinematographic Union
- Central Committee of TajikistanTajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
Komsomol Tajikfilm Studio
Filmography
Year Title: Tajik/Russian/English (role)- 1955 Roh/Doroga/The Road (actor)
- 1956 Dokhunda (actor)
- 1957 Man bo dukhtare vokhurdam/Ya vstretil devushku/I Met a Girl (actor)
- 1957 Bahori notakror/Nepovtorimaya vesna/A Unique Spring (actor)
- 1958 Nasriddin dar Khujand/Nasriddin v Khujande/Nasriddin in Khujand (actor)
- 1959 Vaqti zangirii picar rasid/Sinu para jinitsa/Time for the Son to Marry (director)
- 1960 Fidoiyon (director)
- 1963 Shohsanam va Gharib/ Shakhsenem i garib/Shakhsenem and Garib/Legend of Love/La Legende De L'amour (director)
- 1966 Margi sudkhur/Smert' Rostovshika (director)
- 1967 Khiyonat/Izmena/Betrayal (writer) (director)
- 1968 Kashfi asror (director)
- 1970 Maidoni parvoz (director)
- 1971 Tyfon dar void/Uragan v daline/Hurricane in the Valley (director)
- 1973 Hejbudagon/Kto byl nichem (director) (series)
- 1975 Hejbudagon har chiz meshavand (director) (series)
- 1978 Zane az diyori dur/Zhenshina iz daleka/Woman from far away (director)
- 1979 Aspho dar zeri moh (actor)
- 1980 Vokhuri dar darai marg/Vstrecha v uzchelye smerty /Meetin in the Canyon of Death (actor) (director)
- 1980 Khobhoi bahori (actor)
- 1980 Nassymbek/Nassymbek/Nassymbek (actor)
- 1981 Khonaat obod boshad (actor) (director) (series)
- 1983 Priklyucheniya malenkogo Muka (actor) (TV)
- 1984 Boz yak shabi Shahrzod/I eshchyo odna noch Shekherazady /And Another Sheherezade Night (actor) (director) (writer)
- 1985 Qismati Malika/Sudba printsessy/Fate of the Princess (actor) (director)
- 1986 Afsonahoi navi Shahrzod/Novye skazki Shakherezady/New Tales of Sheherezade (actor) (director) (writer)
- 1987 Shabi okhironi Shahrzod/Poslednyaya noch Shakherezady/Last Night of Sheherezade (actor) (director) (writer)
- 1991 Ashq va shamsher/Slyezi I mech/Tears and sword (director) (series)
- 1996 Pairohai qismat (director) (cofilm with Iran (series))
- 1999 Khoja Kamoli Khujandi/Khodja Kamoli iz Khujanda/Khoja Kamoli from Khujand (director) (series)(unfinished)