First Tajik Film in Two Decades Makes Waves

The film, whose name translates as “High Noon”, is to have screenings at the NHK film festival in Japan and the Pusan festival in South Korea later this year.



Tajikistan only has the state film company Tajikfilm, and no private studios.



TV companies make films shot on video or show Soviet-era films, while the cinemas show imported feature films, often made in neighbouring Uzbekistan where the industry is more advanced.



Film industry insiders complain that local businesspeople are not interested in sponsoring Tajik films, either because they cannot see the commercial benefit or because, in one commentator’s view, they have “no taste”.