Munavvar Kalantarli
Acting
Biography
Munavvar Samad qizi Kalantarli (Azerbaijani: Münəvvər Kələntərli) was an Azerbaijani actress and folk singer. Born to a wealthy landowner family descended from Iranian émigrés, Munavvar "Mina" Kalantarli received her primary education at Maryam Bayramalibeyova's Uns School for Girls in Lankaran. Her aunt-in-law and prominent Azerbaijani folk singer, Yavar Kalantarli, noticed young Mina's talent for singing and encouraged her to pursue career in music. In the early 1930s, Munavvar Kalantarli moved to Baku to work at the Azerbaijan State Opera Theatre, where together with Yavar Kalantarli and Munavvar's brother Hashim, she performed folk songs. Prior to becoming an actress Munavvar Kalantarli had not received professional training in acting. Nevertheless, her artistic personality, natural talent and good sense of humour soon got the attention of theatre directors, and in the mid-1930s she was offered a job as an actress at the Azerbaijan Musical Comedy Theatre. In 1937, she got married and give birth to a daughter. Having had to choose between her career and her personal life, Kalantarli divorced her husband when their daughter was still a toddler. Her career in comedy was a successful one. In 1945, she starred in her first movie "The Cloth Peddler" (dir. Ismayil Afandiyev) as Auntie Jahan. Overall she acted in 9 movies between 1945 and 1962. She quit theatre after being appointed assistant producer at the Vatan cinema in Baku.
Known For
Young scientist Jamal Zakhidov is convinced that the ruins of the ancient city of Aran are located in Azerbaijan. Zakhidov is seeking to organize an expedition to the area where he believes Aran is located. Zahidov's friend, a young archaeologist named Jalil, is also well versed in geology. He believes that the rocks he accidentally found at the foot of Gyzyl-Gaya contain valuable materials. But Imam-zade, a secret agent of a foreign intelligence service, steals these samples. The expedition members meet an old man named Murtaz. The old man recognizes Imam-zade as the son of Suleiman-bek, the former ruler of these lands, who killed geologist Karimov, who was conducting research here in 1920. Realizing that he has been exposed, Imam-zade blows up the cave in an attempt to destroy the expedition. But the locals rescue the expedition members. Imam-zade is detained by MGB officers. Uranium is found in the rocks discovered by Jalil at the excavation site...
The Shadows are Crawling
Popularly known by the name of the main character, "Mashadi Ibad" was based on a musical comedy by composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov and written in the early 1900s. The story is based on the age old-theme of a beautiful young woman Gulnaz who falls in love with a young man Sarvar but is obliged to marry someone else.
If Not This, Then That
Dedicated to the development of the oil industry of Soviet Azerbaijan in the background of the first half of the twentieth century, including their selfless work in strengthening the economic and military might of the USSR.
The Fires of Baku
Chief Mamishov is the head of the housing and utilities department. At first glance, he seems to be a businesslike and attentive person. He always responds to any complaints from residents, but he has one bad habit—smoking. As a result, he stashes packs of Kazbek cigarettes in his desk until an inspection from a higher authority comes along and several violations are discovered, one of which is his indifference to a complaint. Overall, the film is dedicated to the bureaucrats and officials of some housing and utilities companies, who are criticized by everyone for their heartless attitude towards the needs of workers.
The Packet of "Kazbek"
Set in Baku at the turn of the 20th century, a young successful businessman Asgar wishes to marry. He wants his bride to be the choice of his heart, however, Azerbaijani tradition restricted him from communicating with the lady as a lover before marriage. So Asgar decides to disguise himself as a mere cloth peddler and the young woman Gulchohra falls in love with him.
Arshin Takes a Wife
The film is about famous Chechen ballet and folk dancer Mahmud Essembayev's life.
The Labour and Rose
The film is about Azerbaijanian and Uzbekistan's cotton-growers contest and about two young people's love.
The Meeting
The film is about oilman who had beautiful voice. He didn't attach great importance to his friends is advice to get special music reward. But he changed his attitude to art under the influence of his friends.
Bakhtiyar
This is a story about World War II. The adultery of her husband didn't wreck her life because she could stand all difficulties with a little help of her faithfull friends.
Her Great Heart
The hero of the film coming to the village for a short while decided to stay there by his medical duty.
Under the Burning Sun
The film is based on a fire that broke out in the composer's house on New Year's Eve.