To commemorate 30 years of diplomatic ties, its embassy in Malaysia organised the inaugural Tajikistan Film Festival, which took place at Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur from Friday to Sunday.
Popular Tajik movies “Ali Safar”, “Rustam and Suhrob”, and “The Teacher” were screened for free in hopes of familiarising viewers with the country’s culture, history and people. The latter title was released in 2014, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Nosir Saidov.
Although only 89 minutes long, “The Teacher” touches on powerful themes such as the importance of education in rural villages, women empowerment, as well as filial piety.
Set in a rural village, the film centres around Samandar (Abdukarim Mashrabov), a happy-go-lucky teacher who is extremely passionate about education and is well-loved by his students.
Having followed in his father’s footsteps, he is one of the few teachers in the village, and goes the extra mile to provide tuition classes to his students outside of school hours.
Contrary to tradition, he encourages children, especially girls, to leave the village in pursuit of further studies to ensure a brighter future.
However, as the school is short of resources, Samandar has not received his salary in three months, despite having to shoulder the added responsibility of teaching other subjects.
To compound matters, rumours begin circulating about Samandar’s alleged affair with a single mother, Hadya (Mahnaz Afshar), when he was in fact merely tutoring her daughter.
The film also captures the heartwarming bond between Samandar and his elderly father (Marat Aripov). The filial son dutifully takes care of his bedridden dad with much love and care, attending to his daily needs and even carrying him around on his back.
The extended scene where he helps shave and bathe his father is particularly moving and intimate, exuding heartfelt emotions even though no words are spoken.
Samandar is also in the midst of digging a grave at his father’s request, much to the chagrin of certain villagers. With the sense that he won’t live much longer, the older man wants nothing more than to see Samandar get married, and to have his older son, Yusof, return home.
Audiences further learn more about the single mum, Hadya, who has had a particularly difficult life. It turns out she had a failed relationship with Yusof, after which she married an abusive man named Djangi, who then left his family.
Hadya single-handedly and lovingly raises her daughter while instilling the importance of education, encouraging her to take extra classes with Samandar.
When Djangi returns to the village and starts abusing her again, the courageous Hadya asks for a divorce, shocking the villagers as it isn’t culturally permitted for women to do so. Her husband eventually relents and agrees, leaving mother and child alone.
Towards the end of the film, Samandar’s dad passes away, and the village mourns their collective loss. After burying him, Samandar decides to leave town to look for his brother, not realising Yusof is making his way back to the village from Russia.
All in all, the slow and controlled pacing of “The Teacher” allows the audience to get a taste of life in a small, rural village in a nation that might be largely unknown to Malaysians, amidst a beautiful backdrop of mountains and nature.
Viewers also get some insight on the country’s past, as well as conflicts brought on by radical religious views as it navigates the future.