LEGEND OF KAZAKH CINEMA

For the 110th anniversary of Sh. Aimanov, the library prepared an exhibition “Kazakh cinema synyn sanlagy”, which presented encyclopedias, reference books about cinema, books by Nazira Rakhmankyzy, Kauken Kenzhetaev, conference materials, photo albums, articles about the life and work of the film director who glorified Kazakhstani cinema throughout world. This exhibition was organized for readers and for the scientific and practical conference “Features of modern national cinema”, held by the faculty of “Directing, art management and cinematography” on February 15, 2024.

The conference featured speeches by Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, film director, producer Taukel Slambek Tileugabyly, producer, cameraman Suleev Aubakir Kalievich, Professor Utekesheva Alma Karataevna, Candidate of Philosophy, Associate Professor Shaimerdenova Saule Kairkenovna and other teachers of KazNUI.

The following sections worked within the framework of the conference:
• The phenomenon of film director Sh. Aimanov.
• Innovations in techniques and technologies for obtaining, converting, reproducing, demonstrating film images and reproducing film images.
• Current trends and prospects in modern non-fiction, feature, and animated films.
• Innovative approaches in production and art management technologies.

It’s amazing how much Shaken Aimanov managed to do! Artistic direction of the studio. Film directing. Directing in the theater. Great work in the Union of Cinematographers. Deputy duties.

Shaken Aimanov played his best roles in the theater. The theater gave the talented actor such material as the cinema could not have imagined. Events in theatrical life were Shaken's Shakespearean roles - Petruchio and Othello. Satin in the play “At the Depths”, Shadrin in “The Man with a Gun”, Khlestakov in “The Inspector General”. And for the production of “Abai” based on M. Auezov at the Kazakh Academic Drama Theater, Aimanov was awarded the State Prize in 1952.

He literally burst into cinema on a dashing horse. Leningrad director Moses Levin shot the first film “Amangeldy”. On the weekend, Shaken went to see what kind of wonder filming was. Levin noticed a curious young man and took him into the crowd as a Sarbaz warrior. And in the first Kazakh sound film, young Aimanov flashes on a horse on the screen. The next paintings were “Raihan”, “White Rose”, “Golden Horn”.

“Songs of Abai”, “Dzhambul”, “In the Same District”, “Beardless Deceiver”, in these four films Aimanov created the most interesting roles in cinema. Shaken Aimanov had a passionate dream - to play Dzhambul himself, a man with whom he was friends and who loved the cheerful young artist. The relatively young actor managed to collect several images of Dzhambul: a young man in love, a mature man, a wise old man who has lived and experienced a lot. This first major role in cinema brought the actor not only great success and became a standard of “national character,” but also allowed him to become more familiar with the peculiarities of film production, more fully appreciate the capabilities of the silver screen and predetermine his future creative destiny.

The film “Our Dear Doctor” brought him wide fame in the USSR, in which Aimanov showed himself as both a film director and an actor, and in the film “The Beardless Deceiver” he co-wrote the script, directed and performed the leading role of Aldar-Kose. Tales about Aldar-Kos served as the basis for more than one work of art. Shaken Aimanov worked on this topic for many years; the film is based on Aldar’s love story for a poor girl named Karlygash. A severe test befalls the hero, but he is full of optimism, ready to fight injustice, ready to give himself to people. Aimanov has a lot in common with his hero; he, like Aldar-Kose, is a cheerful person, but not a cheerful person, smart, but not resourceful, he is wise, honest and fair.

In general, Shaken was sociable, good-natured, always open to friendship. He knew how to find a common language with others, including rural elders. His friends were such cinema luminaries as S. Gerasimov, S. Bondarchuk. He could easily, in a friendly manner, talk with such film celebrities as Jean Marais and Laurence Olivier. At the First International Film Festival in Moscow, Aimanov danced with American film star Elizabeth Taylor in a dance competition, and the couple won first place.
Aimanov’s professional growth in cinema was astonishingly rapid; his brilliant acting and directing works quickly received national recognition. Over a decade and a half of work in cinema, Shaken Aimanov has made more than ten feature films, which are rightfully included in the Golden Fund of National Cinematography.

We invite our readers to check out the exhibition in the reading room to learn more about the life and work of the legendary director!