Culture Minister calls for a halt in film production to boost quality

During a press conference on December 24 at the Agency for Information and Mass Communications, the Minister of Culture, Ozodbek Nazarbekov, addressed a provocative question from journalists regarding when Uzbekistan will produce a Hollywood-level movie. His response was both unexpected and candid.

“For cinema to develop at the level you expect, Uzbek cinematography should stop producing movies. The reason why cinemas do not survive and develop is that this does not happen if the state buys movies. The state never buys movies just to make money. If we buy movies to make money, we will have to decorate them with all sorts of attractive things. And for us to get a Hollywood-level movie, we will have to bet 20 million on one movie,” stated Nazarbekov.

It was revealed that in 2024, the Uzbek government allocated 105 billion soums from the state budget to support the development of national cinematography. These funds facilitated the completion of 123 film projects.

“In general, the funds allocated for film production during the year amounted to 105 billion soums. Within the framework of these funds, 123 film projects were completed, including 18 feature films, 54 documentaries, 32 short films, 9 series, 8 animated films, and 2 videos addressing topical issues,” noted Shukhrat Rizayev, head of the Cinematography Agency.

Despite the investments, the profitability of Uzbekistan’s film industry remains uncertain. Rizayev admitted that the revenue from 2024’s film projects has not yet been calculated, but anticipated that it may not cover the production costs.

Cinematography is one of the most lucrative industries worldwide, generating billions for many nations. However, questions persist about whether Uzbekistan’s cinematic output yields returns for the state budget.

Adding to the complexity, in November, the Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment introduced a “spiritual examination” to ensure Uzbek media products align with moral standards. Though initially supported by the Ministry of Culture, this initiative faced public backlash. On December 14, the Ministry of Justice overturned the decision.

During the press conference, discussions resurfaced about the need for a “moral examination” of films.

“We need to clearly define our moral standards. Currently, competition between state and private TV channels is intensifying, resulting in more entertainment-focused content. Some series contradict our values. This issue didn’t emerge from nowhere—it was carefully considered,” Rizayev explained.

Nazarbekov also addressed artists, urging them to be cautious when representing Uzbekistan abroad. He revealed that the Ministry has received diplomatic notes regarding the conduct of some performers overseas.

“There have been a couple of cases where even the Ministry of Culture has received notes. Some artists go to other countries, commit various illegal acts, or give concerts without paying taxes. The Ministry has to answer for this. They should not interfere with our efforts to improve Uzbekistan’s image internationally. Our goal should be shared,” said Nazarbekov.