BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 4. The documentary
“Crude and Ink: Stories Written in Oil,” co-produced by SOCAR and
AnewZ television channel, premiered at the Nizami Cinema Centre on
November 3.
The event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as state and government
officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to
Azerbaijan, and public representatives.
Prior to the screening, Leyla Aliyeva met with the film's
creative team and posed for commemorative photographs.
Speaking at the premiere, AnewZ Executive Director Rufat
Hamzayev stated that the idea for the documentary originated from
103 historical postcards from the early 20th century preserved in
the SOCAR museum collection. The executive director noted that the
film tells the story of the Baku oil boom nearly a century ago,
highlighting how the city attracted people from various countries
around the world during that period and the radical transformations
that took place as a result of the development of the oil
industry.
Noting that President Ilham Aliyev declared 2026 the Year of
Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, Rufat Hamzayev
emphasized that, through 103 historical postcards and nine personal
stories, the documentary offers viewers insights into the impact of
oil on Baku's architecture and culture, as well as the fates of
individuals who left an indelible mark on the city's history.
The documentary “Crude and Ink: Stories Written in Oil” was then
screened.
The film focuses on Baku's rapid transformation a century ago,
its oil rigs, streets, harbour, and the personal stories of its
residents. Filmed over approximately six months, it uses AI to
animate historical postcards and archival photographs, recreate the
visual atmosphere of the period, and develop parts of its musical
score.
The documentary also features an exclusive interview with Irina
Trofimova-Khomitskaya, a descendant of architect Józef Gosławski,
who played a significant role in shaping Baku's architectural
landscape.
