Ali and Nino's shooting starts

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The shooting of the Ali and Nino film, based on a novel with the same name - which is the world's bestseller - will start on February 24.

A press-conference on this occasion was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the film's executive producer attended the event.

Speaking at the conference, Aliyeva emphasized that the preparatory works for the shooting of the film have already been completed.

"I have read ‘Ali and Nino’ many, many times and clearly remember the excitement with which I read it for the first time. Set in the early 20th century, the book vividly describes the people, places, sights and sounds of Azerbaijan at that time. It brings alive an epic love story that continues to resonate today, 100 years later,” Aliyeva said.

The epic love story Ali & Nino by Kurban Said, is one of the most original works of twentieth century literature. Since its initial publication in 1937, the acclaimed novel has been translated into 33 languages worldwide with nearly 100 reprints.

"That is why I am so excited that the filming of this novel will take place on the streets of Baku today, in the Old City, at our Opera House, in Gobustan, and in the mountains of Khiniliq - places where the book was originally dreamed up and where its scenes were first set. I am so delighted to welcome this incredibly talented cast and crew to Baku, who are going to help us bring this remarkable story to life and wish them every success in the days ahead," she said.

The film has brought together a world-class team including Production Designer, Carlos Conti (On the Road, The Kite Runner, The Motorcycle Diaries); Director of Photography, Gokhan Tiryaki (Winter Sleep, Once Upon a Time in Anatolia); acclaimed Costume Designer, Michele Clapton (‘Game of Thrones’); and Editor, Alexander Berner (Jupiter Ascending, Cloud Atlas, The Debt).

“I am thrilled to announce the start of principal photography on Ali & Nino, it has been an honor to work with Christopher on adapting this wonderful novel, and the film could not be in better hands than those of Asif and the amazing cast and crew that he has gathered together,” Producer Kris Thykier said.

Thykier expressed his gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Leyla Aliyeva for supporting the project.

“There is an excellent screenplay, a team at international level, nice places and strong shooting staff. This project has been the source of our eternal friendship,” he added.

Christopher Hampton, the scriptwriter of the film, winner of Academy Award said he was not familiar with this novel before. “It was a very interesting work for me. Of course, there are difficult issues and I agreed to this complexity.”

Leyla Aliyeva noted that the film will emphasize the importance of struggling for our country, and the same time, viewers will be watching a love story: “Why this particular book? I think this book first and foremost reflects the importance of Azerbaijan’s independence. The second reason is, without doubt, that it’s a magnificent, epic love story”.

International sales of the film have been assigned to "IM Global".

Adam Bakri will play a leading role - Azerbaijani Alikhan Shirvanshir- the beloved of beautiful Georgian Nino, will be presented by Maria Valverde.

The story sets against the historical backdrop of World War I on the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. The tragic story of Ali Khan Shirvanshir, the male descendant of a royal Muslim family, and Nino Kipiani, a beautiful, Christian, Georgian princess, is described in this epic love novel.

Ali and Nino live in the oil-rich capital of Azerbaijan which at the beginning of the 20th century was a melting pot of different cultures. Despite differences in cultures, they have loved each other since childhood, and Ali is determined to marry Nino as soon as she leaves school.

Their love undergoes family differences, religious dissimilarities and a challenging political situation as Azerbaijan is fighting for independence.