Twenty years ago when R.F. was the General Director of the Azerbaijan State Film Studio a young director V.M. came with a one page idea of a controversial and obviously anti-soviet movie which no one would want to make. R.F. liked it and wrote a scenario, set V.M. as a director and produced the movie himself.
"Yaramaz" (Bastard) they named it.
Several years later after V.M. filmed a series of pro-governmental movies, became deputy minister and GM of a TV channel, for some unknown reason he wouldn't say hi and became absolutely inadequate to R.F. and some other people.
Couple of days ago R.F. got an invitation to the anniversary of the movie...
Another important word here: "Hormet" - respect.
Yes, we are eager to be respected by our neighbors, co-workers, employees, friends and family. We don't do anything "ayib" in order not to lose "hormet". Men consider women as their "qeyret" - dignity, so they assure men's "hormet" in society.
All people are strictly divided into those who deserve "hormet" and those who don't. Although, one's got much less limitations if he's rich or holds an important position in government. He gets his "hormet" by default. Moreover, his kids also inherit the "hormet". They park their cars in the middle of the road, because their fathers know the police chief, they get served first in stores and restaurants, they can easily say to a professor: "Get off, my dad can buy you".
Ironically, we also use this word as a slang for bribery. We give "hormet" to policemen, state employees, university professors. We bribe respectfully.
Does "hormet" count with money or power we have? Can it get cheaper during crisis? Can we get a discount for "hortmet"?
...R.F. refused to go to the anniversary today. His wife and daughter did.
Wonder what happened when they arrived? There were no seats left for them. They had to request representatives of the Ministry of Culture to find ones. V.M. wouldn't even move.
What was the whole event about? V.M., not the movie.
How many times did he mention R.F. or anyone who helped him with the movie? Only once. At the end.
Did he invite the editor or the rest of the crew? No.
Yes, "hormet" means a lot here. Especially the one for bastards.
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V.M is a man without any ideals, a man of different political periods. It was time for anti soviet movie he did it, it is time for a pro governmental movie he does it, it will be time for the anti governmental movie he will do it. Anything for the sake of being o stage.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I lost my hormet- in a real meaning respect- towards him when had a chance to hear his comment on dubbing Azeri movies into any other language. It is impossible he said, the movie will lost its national colour
I remember one late Azeri film director who once said "V.M. hech vaxt merzavets seviyyesinden yuxari qalxmayacaq!" Such a brilliant word play.
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud of your father!
Well said.
ReplyDeleteThank you.