THE MAKING OF A NEW EMPIRE
Original language title: [same]

Country of production: Netherlands
Year: 1999
Language: Russia, Chechen, etc
78 mins.

"Remarkably intimate...tantalizingly elusive." (VARIETY)

Festivals included: Toronto, Berlinale Forum, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Goteborg, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Minneapolis, Thessaloniki, Karlovy Vary, and many more

In the archaic and anarchic world of Chechnya, THE MAKING OF A NEW EMPIRE portrays Khozh-Ahmed Noukhaev. Twenty-five years ago, he founded a Moscow-based underground movement, which later became known as the notorious Chechen mafia. To Chechens, however, this movement was the crucible of liberation. Noukhaev is a prime candidate in the tradition of the bandit-warrior. He is a godfather, an escaped convict, a war hero, a publicity manager, and a visionary combined into a single person. Here we learn his personal story, and through him we also learn about the mystical, proud, and violent history of the Chechen people. THE MAKING OF A NEW EMPIRE depicts the ancient mythology and rituals of Chechnya, but also, perhaps, its future, as Mr. Noukhaev now controls oil pipelines...

Producer: Jan Heijs
Production co: Ruud Monster, Jura Filmprodukties
Director: Jos de Putter
Editor: Danniel Danniel, Puck Goossen
Photography: Andrzej Adamczak
Sound: Lukasz Nowicki
Source:
Mr. Frank van den Engel
Zeppers Film & TV
Joh. Verhulststraat 174
1075 HC Amsterdam, Netherlands
zeppers@xs4all.nl

Sunday, March 23
9pm
Block Cinema

Screening as part of EMPIRE AND RESISTANCE: JOS DE PUTTER RETROSPECTIVE