Nar bagi

This film turned out to be quite good on the one hand, namely from the point of view of the New new Azerbaijani cinema (especially taking liberty to shoot sex scene), but at the same time it is quite banal from the point of view plot perspective as it takes it time to get going.

With a change of location, Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard," has landed in scenic landscape of rural Azerbaijan directed by Armenian-born Ilgar Najaf. At the center of the film is Gabil, the prodigal son retuning to his home after twelve long years which causes a stir in his family. There's an incident that haunts him concerning his deceased brother, a past trauma to deal with, he dreams for a better future and wants his family to join him for the Russian dream. But things don't work accordingly, there is more to the trauma, the Russian dream and the affair as the past, the conflicts within the family slowly unfold against the backdrop of the Pomegranate tree.

Director Ilgar Najaf managed to convey the course of life, the change in socio-economic status, the decline of traditions, the migrants workers with subtle details. I loved the opening and the finale shot as Gabil's son is the ophthalmologist clinic for a check-up. It is framed with accuracy and it's definitely worth a revisit as it sums up the whole film!

In closing, this film may not be suitable for viewing for all, i only recommend this to those who delve into the essence of the 'atmospheric' arthouse cinema.

The Pomegranate Orchard is visually impressive but falls short in terms of content, making it a slow and tiresome watch. Director Ilgar Najaf attempts to explore themes of family drama, reconciliation with the past, and social changes, yet these elements remain underdeveloped.

The main storyline-Qabil returning home after years of absence and facing his past traumas-unfolds at an artificially slow pace. The film's themes of migration to Russia, family conflicts, and the symbolic pomegranate tree feel overused and fail to offer anything fresh.

While the performances are decent, the characters struggle to evoke strong emotions. The film's slow pacing makes certain scenes feel unnecessarily prolonged and lacking impact.

Overall, The Pomegranate Orchard might appeal to fans of atmospheric arthouse cinema, but for those seeking a compelling narrative and emotional depth, it falls short. It may leave a visual impression, but its weak storytelling and lack of dramatic weight make it an underwhelming experience.