Arshin Mal Alan, which is the pearl of Azerbaijani cinema, was shown on September 19th 2015 in Hollywood, Azerbaijan’s Consulate General said.
Shot in 1945, this film was screened in Hollywood for the first time at the Montalban Theater, the first fully automated theater in America.
The film was re-mastered and colorized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2013.
The screening was dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the 100th anniversary of Rashid Behbudov and the 70th anniversary of the film 'Arshin Mal Alan'.
Before the demonstration, Azerbaijan’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Nasimi Aghayev, welcomed the guests and informed the attendees about the film. Mentioning that in 2001 Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev advised to restore this film, the Consul General invited the audience to watch the speech of the great leader.
Then a video of speech was shown.
Aghayev noted that the color version of the film will be shown, after this film was colorized and re-mastered in 2013 at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, adding that this project gave 'Arshin Mal Alan' a new life.
The diplomat also highlighted various cultural projects implemented by the Foundation under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, in Azerbaijan and abroad.
Noting the fact that September 18th was proclaimed as Uzeyir Hajibeyli Memorial Day in Los Angeles and six other Californian cities, Aghayev expressed his gratitude to these cities. Then the diplomat informed about the work of Rashid Behbudov and noted his beautiful voice and great acting that played a vital role in the success of the movie.
Then the daughter of Rashid Behbdov, Rashida Rashid, shared memories of her father about the film. She thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for its work and noted that it is a great contribution to the preservation of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage. She characterized the screening of 'Arshin Mal Alan' in Los Angeles, which is the center of the global film industry, as a historic event.
The show was attended by the Consul Generals and staff of the consulates of various countries in Los Angeles, representatives of public and political organizations and journalists.
The screening of 'Arshin Mal Alan' has once again won the hearts of the audience, provoking prolonged applause.
