BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. On November 12,
the Nizami Cinema Center hosted the presentation of the documentary
film “Steps in Silence,” produced by the Baku Media Center.


The event was attended by Arzu Aliyeva, head of the Baku Media
Center, government officials, cultural figures, and members of the
film’s creative team.


Guests first viewed an exhibition highlighting the film’s
subject matter, demining efforts, and the daily lives of women
working in this field.


Addressing the audience before the screening, military
journalist Heydar Mirza emphasized that the threat of landmines is
one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan.
He highlighted the importance of demining operations in the
liberated territories and the mission carried out by those involved
in this work.


He noted that in 2021, AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov
and Azerbaijan Television (AzTV) cameraman Siraj Abishov were
killed in a landmine explosion while performing their professional
duties in Kalbajar. The tragedy once again demonstrated the serious
threat posed by landmines to military personnel, civilians, and
journalists.


Speaking at the event, Vugar Suleymanov, chairman of the board
of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA),
noted that since November 2020, a total of 444 people in Azerbaijan
have become victims of landmines, 73 of whom have lost their
lives.


He added that, according to the agency’s analysis, approximately
60 percent of mine incidents have occurred beyond the front line,
indicating that the liberated territories were mined in a haphazard
manner.


According to Vugar Suleymanov, 11,667 square kilometers of the
liberated territories are currently classified as suspected areas
contaminated by landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO).


Umud Mirzayev, president of the International Eurasia Press Fund
and a member of the board of the Azerbaijan Press Council,
highlighted the importance of the film in drawing international
attention to the landmine issue.


He stressed that the ongoing landmine threat in the liberated
territories is a serious humanitarian issue requiring the attention
not only of Azerbaijan but also of the international community.


Such films demonstrate the scale of the danger and bring the
dedication and daily struggles of demining personnel, particularly
women, to a wider audience.


The guests then watched the full-length documentary “Steps in
Silence.”


The documentary tells the story of an all-female demining team.
It follows the women’s lives, showing how, despite their extremely
dangerous work, they set aside their professional responsibilities
at home to spend time with their loved ones as mothers and
wives.







The film has already received international recognition. It had
its world premiere in the competition programme of the 66th Krakow
Film Festival, one of Europe’s oldest film festivals, where it won
the Best Cinematography award.


The documentary has also been featured in Modern Times Review, a
Europe-based digital and print magazine specializing in
documentaries and books. International audiences can find detailed
information about the film on the platform.


The film also received a Special Jury Mention at the NNW
International Film Festival in Gdynia, Poland, and was screened for
international audiences at the Astra Film Festival in Romania.


These achievements have created further opportunities for “Steps
in Silence” to reach international audiences and bring its
important story to viewers in more countries.


The film attracted considerable interest at its presentation at
the Nizami Cinema Center. The creative team was invited onto the
stage after the screening.


In their remarks, screenwriter Fariz Ahmadov and director of
photography Mateusz Czuchnowski thanked everyone involved in
bringing the project to life, particularly executive producer Arzu
Aliyeva, President of the Baku Media Center, for her support.


The film is co-produced by the Baku Media Center, Drygas Film
Production, and Polish Television (TVP), with financial support
from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ARKA,
and the Polish Film Institute.


Arzu Aliyeva is the film’s executive producer. The production
team also includes co-producer Vita Żelakevičiūtė (Poland),
producer Orman Aliyev, screenwriters Fariz Ahmadov and Ismayil
Iman, director of photography Mateusz Czuchnowski, editor Rasim
Ismayilov, and creative producers Maciej Drygas (Poland) and Tahir
Aliyev.


Since its establishment, the Baku Media Center has attached
great importance to preserving Azerbaijan’s historical heritage and
conveying the truth.


The Center has produced numerous films covering various chapters
of the country’s history, many of which have attracted considerable
public interest. These include “Target Baku,” “Heritage,” “The Last
Session,” “Eternal Assignment,” “We,” “Shusha, You Are Free!” and
“Taghiyev.”


The trailer for “Steps in Silence” is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE9l5z_QahQ