TO MY FATHER
THE PROJECT DEDICATED
2020-2024
documentary
MASALLI
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Originally from South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, I was born in the wilderness of Eastern Siberia, in a small town called Bratsk in Russia. Few people would understand the oddness of such situation. Living in Bratsk as a foreigner my origins always haunted me. My parents are from Masalli, Azerbaijan, a place I occasionally visited on summer holidays, until I had to move from Bratsk to Baku together with my mom. My dad, my closest friend and a soul mate had to stay in Bratsk. Although we stayed in touch, I missed his physical presence and waited impatiently for him to come visit on my 16th birthday. His sudden death 23 prior to this date has been devastative and turned my life upside down.
2020, Covid19, quarantine, and the funeral takes place in Azerbaijani region. Due to the quarantine restrictions, it was almost impossible to move throughout the city, yet to say from one to another, so I was practically forced to move and stay in Masalli for months with the other part of the family. Entrapped in way, longing, I found peace in the camera. Camera made it easier for me to re-connect with relatives I haven’t seen for ages. I realized I must appreciate this short period of my life and taking it as chance to know my culture better, and maybe also know better myself.
Masalli is a unique place. Only after filming it I was able to understand it to the core. My father was always telling me mystic stories on Masalli, and I had this vivid memory, that became clear with taking a camera to my hands. People who live in Masalli, their traditions, their daily habits is something to explore with a great interest. I continue to travel there and get to know this beautiful place. Now that I go there I feel myself home, and can film it as a native liver. I hope the photographs show my love and dedication to the place I originally come from and discovered only a few years ago.
Masalli is a unique place. Only after filming it I was able to understand it to the core. My father was always telling me mystic stories on Masalli, and I had this vivid memory, that became clear with taking a camera to my hands. People who live in Masalli, their traditions, their daily habits is something to explore with a great interest. I continue to travel there and get to know this beautiful place. Now that I go there I feel myself home, and can film it as a native liver. I hope the photographs show my love and dedication to the place I originally come from and discovered only a few years ago.
