“Where is Ahmed?”, “The Last Night of Childhood”, “The Most Important Interview”, “Find That Girl”, “Nasimi” and other famous films of Azerbaijani cinema. Sayavush Shafiyev managed to remain in the public’s memory with the interesting characters he created. Although his life was short and his roles few, he knew how to write his name in the history of our cinema.
Friends of art, what we do not know about the life of the honored artist, director and circus master Sayavush Shafiyev on the eve of November 24, memorial day “Caspian” they told the newspaper.
Not many people know this…
“Sayavush used to come and go to Baku to shoot films. That’s why it was difficult to communicate with him. He created several roles in our cinema. Unfortunately, his life ended in a tragic year,” says the well-known film critic. Aydin Kazimzade, telling what he heard from the late actor’s sister: “Sayavush Shafiyev is in Baku. After filming several films, he moved to Moscow. The circus troupe he headed went on tour to France.” He showed acrobatic examples. Sayavush cannot speak due to lack of protection. He is taken to Moscow. He is a tall, healthy man and dies shortly after.
“How long will I live in the guest house?”
People’s artist Anvar Hasanov, who knows the life and work of Sayavush Shafiyev best, speaks: “Sayavush was successful in sports from his school years. He was the winner of several boxing competitions. He graduated from the All-Union Circus School in Moscow and graduated in acrobatics. After finishing school, he worked in Soyuzcircus Working with well-known artists of the Moscow circus, he soon became an accepted professional among artists.
In 1972, S. Shafiyev was sent to Baku as artistic director of the newly opened circus in the city. The circus programs he organized in Baku became very popular at that time. He also tries himself as a circus director. S. Shafiyev attracts the attention of film directors in Baku. Adil Iskandarov asked him: “Where is Ahmed?” invites you to the movie. After the film’s release, director Adil Iskenderov faced serious criticism. The film is characterized as a cinematographic work “rich in bourgeois elements.” Upon hearing about the criticism of the film, Sayavush laments that “they shot me wrong.” However, as the years passed, the film was accepted by the public and became one of the most loved films in Azerbaijan. S. Shafiyev says: “I am satisfied with my destiny. It is good that Mr. Adil chose me for this role.”
After that, S. Shafiyev created the character of Rustam in the film “The Last Night of Childhood” based on the script by Magsud Ibrahimbeyov. The film is awarded at the festival held in Georgia. “I was 17-18 years old then,” recalls A. Hasanov. “Master Adil said that they would live in the same house. We need to convey to the public their mutual sincerity. We were together all day. We also went to his performances in the circus in the evenings. I was very close to him and his family while filming. I had a daughter. I witnessed Sayavush’s sincerity. The relationship taught me a lot. I am happy to have worked with him. The film “The Last Night of Childhood” was bought by almost 40 countries. Sayavush created the character of Altay. A. Hasanov says that although S. Shafiyev worked as artistic director of the circus, he did not have an apartment in Baku, but lived in a guest house: “After arriving in Baku, he lived in the house “Circus” guest house nearby At that time, famous artists had apartments. Sayavush lived in the guest house for 5 years. So “How long will I live in the guest house? I have a friend. “I can’t invite guests to my house,” he was offended and moved to Moscow. He started working as a production director in the famous union “Circus on Stage” in Moscow. He was a very nice person. I lived in Moscow. For 5 or 6 years after military service we met there often.
“Suddenly we found out that he had passed away…”
“After he started working in our circus, Adil Iskanderov liked him and invited him to watch the film “Where is Ahmad?” – recalls film director Abdul Mahmudov. “I only appeared with him in one film, in one episode from the movie “Where?” is Ahmad.” But he is often found in the hallways of the movie studio. and we were hanging out. I wanted to cast him as a colonel in the movie “Native Shores,” I arrested him. There were fight scenes in the movie. I wanted him because he was suitable for that role. He was one of the first circus masters in Azerbaijan. He was very sincere and patriotic. He starred in several films and moved to Russia. He died when he was young. It is true that he played few roles, but only interesting roles. way that he was able to engrave his name in the history of cinema forever.
“Why are you crying? Don’t cry…”
Popular artist Khalida Guliyeva met Sayavush Shafiyev on the set of the film “Nasimi”: “I was then 20 years old. I didn’t have time to understand the world, I was watching and learning. The scenes of the mass filming of the film were filmed in Gobustan I also had to gallop in those massive scenes. For the first time I was riding a horse, I couldn’t and I sat on the bus. I hid my face from him. Don’t cry. Without it, stunts are performed in massive scenes. “Your great work is ahead,” he consoled me. Sayavush was a very calm, civilized person who cared about the problems of others. That’s how I met him during filming…
