Azerbaijan-born actress in U.S.: I don't know why we were not allowed to enter Baku

Sabina Ahmadova, well-known actress and model in Russia, was born on September 23, 1981 in Baku in a mixed Azerbaijani-Armenian family. Actress’ family was forced to move to Moscow in 1990 because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. She graduated from the actor department of the Institute of Contemporary Art. She is a student of the Lee Strazberg Institute in Los Angeles. The actress lives in the United States, but regularly trips to Russia for filming.


When were you in Baku last time?

When I was 12 years old. I came with my father to visit relatives. My parents moved from Baku at night on Jan. 13, 1990. Since my mother is an Armenian, we simply had no other choice at that time. I do not remember the details of what was happening as I was very young. But this is still a painful subject for m...

What memories do you have associated with Baku?

I have very good memories. I remember my kindergarten. We lived in the Ahmadly settlement. I remember our apartment, boulevard, the 8 th district. I have a very bright and pleasant memories of Baku. As they said then: "The best city on earth!"

What do you think of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

It's a tragedy. Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has claimed many lives. People were left homeless. I hate any sort of harassment, discrimination and war. I am sorry for ordinary people, who were at the center of political manipulation. If we give up perceptions related to national and religious affiliation, everything will be different. We will be much harder to manipulate and to be drawn into a war with invented problems and ideals irrelevant to our happiness, prosperity and peace.

Do you keep any contact with Baku?

Currently, I have no relations with Baku. Besides, I spend much time traveling. I stay either in in America or Europe. I live in United States, and I am in Moscow for shooting.

Online, there was an article which stated that a film crew which included you as well was not allowed to enter Azerbaijan to film "The Last Romans", directed by George Moroz devoted to the January events in Baku...

I personally have not faced any ban. Thank God I am not persona non grata in Azerbaijan. This year I started acting in the project dedicated to January events in Baku. But we shot the film in Malta, as we failed to agree about shootings in Baku for some reason. I don’t know the reasons.

Have you ever taken part in a film by Azerbaijani director?

I would like to star in the film by Murad Ibrahimbayov. I spoke with him only once at the Venice Film Festival. It enjoyed thus conversation very much. If he offers me a part in his movie, I will accept it with great pleasure.

Can you speak about your future plans?

I do not like to share them. It distracts from the present moment. I can say that at the moment I am starring in several projects. All projects are very interesting and quite dissimilar to each other. You can see them on Russian television and in cinemas next year.


/Vesti.Az/