Elchin Jahangirli (Elchin Tavakkul oglu Mamiyev) is considered one of the directors and actors who gained fame in Azerbaijani television since the 1990s. He studied at the Acting Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts and was the project manager and presenter of the programs “Qum saatı” (Hourglass), “Görüş yeri” (Meeting Place), and “Torpağın ətri” (Scent of the Earth) broadcast on Lider TV. At the same time, he collaborated with AzTV and MTV, working as a lead actor, director, and producer in a number of television and feature films.
Elchin Jahangirli gave an interview to Modern.az, which we present:
- If I'm not mistaken, you are the first TV series director. Was there no other ambitious person capable of doing this work at that time, or did it happen by chance?
Before me, there were TV series consisting of 3-7 episodes. But the first long one – a 30-episode shoot – belongs to me, and its uniqueness also lies in the fact that we filmed it in the United Arab Emirates. Sometimes this statement irritates many, but it is the truth.
- Was there a colleague who showed envy?
If, on the path to your goal, you encounter rudeness, and you "throw a stone at every barking dog," there won't be time to reach your objective. Besides, I have an innate trait: whatever anyone says to me, it doesn't affect me.
- You probably do your work alone, without advice. I see that you are both the director and the worker of the television program you host.
No, I can get advice from many people. I even ask young people for things. If specialists in my field are around, you must learn their opinions. But my own opinion is also very important here. It's true that I can analyze and act by majority vote, but my own word is the main line. You know, I have intuition. My sixth sense whispers to me which project will be successful. When I sleep at night, I must have a notebook and pen next to my head. Creative notes can appear and disappear, and new ones can emerge. But to preserve the previous ones, you need to write them down in time.
- Do your character and habits not create difficulties for you in getting along with colleagues?
I often have nervous moments. I feel like the person in front of me doesn't understand me. My colleagues later tell me that I have fully created what I've made only in my mind. But I haven't told them anything. I myself am unaware that every detail I create in my mind is ready only for me, and my colleagues have no idea. Also, one must draw conclusions from criticism. There might be resentment, but its logical continuation is to make the necessary adjustments.
- You mentioned that you are an Aquarius. You probably believe in horoscopes a lot.
The main thing is belief itself. Once you have belief, you will be able to interpret the horoscope in your favor.
- For a while, TV channels broadcast series you directed. Lately, however, it seems you've withdrawn into the shadows... What is the reason?
They ask me this question frequently. In the 1990s, when the series I directed and acted in, such as "Yanmış körpü" (Burnt Bridge), "Susmuş vicdan" (Silent Conscience), and "Boyunbağı" (Necklace), were aired, the whole nation gathered in front of the television. Where is that audience now? So, making a series currently means, in a certain sense, wasting time. I should also mention that I receive offers to make series. In this very studio where I work, they offer me to be both a director and to take a role in a series. But I see that the money isn't worth it. And also, you know, it's necessary to create original work. To film and show what no one else has filmed.
- If interest in series has decreased, what is interesting to the audience?
Now many people make series, many people play roles. I cannot speak ill of any of them; they would be offended. Let them film; I am not 17 years old to be envious. In my time, I created the most beautiful roles. I performed every maneuver of acting; I had a shoot in Dubai on the topic of human trafficking, in the mountains, among soldiers. So, I have seen all of these. I just want to say that a person knows their time and what to spend it on. Now, series are not watched as much. Perhaps I am the only person who does not regret my past because I have not wasted it.
- Everyone is opening accounts on social networks, wanting to benefit from them, what about you?
I don't have an account on any social network yet, but I intend to create one soon. They tell me that I have a lifetime's worth of material. If I upload it to social networks, I would gather many followers. Auxiliary tools aside, I am interested in the program "Qum saatı" itself. In my program, I prioritize intellect, classics, morality, poetry, and literature. It's impossible that there aren't people who value these.
- Is there anything in your profession that seems agonizing to you?
There might be an agonizing side, but pleasant situations and the joy of creativity compensate for it. It even surpasses it.
- As an actor, you seem to be more suited for dramatic roles. For some reason, I think so. It's probably because of the roles you've played. What about comedy?
No, both comedy and drama are my work. Just as there is diversity in life, the art of acting must also be diverse. One can play both drama and comedy. Tragicomedy is a priority for me. The film "Şans" (Chance) is my greatest tragicomedy success.
- Why MTV? Was collaboration with other TV channels not possible for you? And why did you leave Azerbaijani television?
Who says my collaboration with Azerbaijani Television has ended? In the recent past, after the Karabakh victory, my two-episode film "Beşatılan" was created in collaboration with AzTV. For a creative person, wherever there are conditions, that is their field. I also collaborated with Khazar Television in the 2010s. As I mentioned, the number of series on television channels has increased. Now I have withdrawn myself to pursue a different creative path. So there is no repetition.
- So, it seems you will make us happy.
My new comedy film will be released soon; it is fully ready. It just needs to be aired on television.
- Why don't you screen it in cinemas first? Is the path to profit not interesting?
Next time, I plan to make a film whose first screening will be in cinemas. Afterwards, we will broadcast it on television based on an agreement. But there are sponsors. By the way, I am the director, actor, and producer of the film.
- What project are you currently working on as a director?
Currently, in parallel, I am filming short films of approximately 2-3 minutes. I am reciting excerpts from Mammadhasan Shahriyar's poem "Heydar Babaya Salam" (Greetings to Heydar Baba). The voice is unique to Shahriyar himself.
- By the way, you have a good voice. It would be even better if you recited it yourself.
I also recite poetry. I perform pieces in the program "Qum saatı".
- What is the main difference for you between thinking as an actor and thinking as a director?
There is no separation between these two professions. Both support each other; they are the same.
- As a director, which topics attract you the most?
Psychological drama. But today's audience cannot watch this genre. They are not the same as the audience 15 years ago. They have become impatient. Social networks like TikTok have done their job. You look, and they're jumping around on TikTok. You think, what are they doing, I wonder? There's a saying: "Show me your friend, and I'll tell you who you are." Everyone has their own circle. Their own choice. It's not right to compare television, film, and cinema art with TikTok. That's why contradictions arise among their viewers.
- You talk about your program whenever the topic comes up. Do you consider it a special format?
Although I manage the program, I don't consider myself a presenter. I appear on air more as a director. As Seyran Sakhavat told me, whatever function a traffic police officer performs as a regulator, I do the same. For example, I have a program, it's not live, you know. Then I work on the editing for two days. But others film their programs and air them the same day; it's not like that for us.
- Has it ever happened that a character you portrayed psychologically affected you?
You know, I approach this matter cautiously. I noticed that once I played a role about a car accident. Afterwards, I faced similar dangers. After that, I portrayed a wealthy person, and soon after, I earned good money. It's as if there's an extraordinary force above one's head.
- Do you help young people enter the art world?
Many celebrities you see on stage played their initial roles in my films when they were still unknown. This itself is support. In the series "Oyunçu" (Player) which I filmed in 2007, Azer Akhsham was just starting to get roles. The same goes for Khayala in Komedikhana now. Mushfiq Shahverdiyev also acted in "Yanmış körpələr" (Burnt Babies). He was a thin boy, I remember. The filming took place in Icherisheher. I gave Ilkin Misgərli a role in "Susmuş Vicdan" (Silent Conscience).
- You sold your car to make a film. Did anyone offer support after hearing about this?
You know, I mentioned this suddenly in one of my previous interviews. Then I regretted it. It's not right to say this. There's a saying, "The left hand should not know what the right hand does." But I should also say that there were those who provided financial support afterwards.
- Is it very difficult to find sponsors for making a series currently?
Of course, it's difficult. It's as difficult for me as it is for everyone else.
- What is the biggest problem of modern Azerbaijani cinema?
Evaluation is the job of specialists. But I can tell you, ask young people now, and they will talk about the value of old films. Do you know why? Because a film used to be worked on for years. You've probably heard that a director would search for the right person for an episode for months. In return, how should a film be? It should be of high quality. But now, a film is shot in 2 days, 5 days. They claim to be actors, but you don't even know where they studied.
- Could you tell us the differences between cinema and television of the 90s and the modern era?
You know, as I mentioned earlier, giving opinions and evaluations is not my job, but let me emphasize one fact. If there were ten channels before, now there are hundreds. If there were 100 actors before, now there are thousands.
- In that case, let's accept this formula: "Quantity lowered quality."
Yes.
- What do you dislike about directors and actors?
I don't want to openly criticize anyone. Otherwise, people will come and criticize me so much that whatever one does, they do for themselves. But they should value their time. If they consider this, it's excellent; otherwise, it's up to them.
- Could you share your most memorable television-cinema memory...
I have many interesting memories.
At that time, we struggled for three nights to write a script. Then that script was lost. The paper disappeared. Actually, I knew who did it. It affected me badly.
- Should we reveal the name?
No, there's no need. That director is no longer alive.
- What are the habits in our society that you still cannot reconcile with?
There is a problem with thinking in our society. Few people think. If you ask anyone this question, they say, what, how, what should I think about? A person should know for themselves what to think about.
- You are also close to the Karabakh topic. Have you been to the liberated territories? Do you have a desire to make a new series or film on this topic?
I have been to Karabakh many times since the lands were liberated. I have also filmed quite a few films. Perhaps no one has filmed as much as I have. Back in 2010, believing in our victory, we filmed "Susmuş vicdan" (Silent Conscience). Its logical continuation was the film "Beşatılan". It will continue after this as well. A period can never be put to this.
- Please tell us a little about yourself and your family. Where are you originally from, and in what field do your children work?
I am from Masally. My son, however, works alongside me as a producer. I also sense talent in my little granddaughter.
- Do your childhood dreams align with today's reality?
Everything I dreamed of in childhood has come true. I used to recite poetry from a young age. It's true that my father initially wanted me to be a prosecutor. But later, he reconciled with my choice.
- Where do you see Elchin Jahangirli 10 years from now?
Right here again. Where should a person see themselves? You must always be on the path you've chosen.
