Venice: The film “Sermon to the Void” by Azerbaijani director Hilal Baydarov was showcased in the “Out of Competition Fiction” section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, which took place from August 27 to September 6, as reported by the Ministry of Culture to APA. The screening, held on September 5, was supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), and garnered significant interest from both experts and viewers.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, a press conference followed the film’s screening, focusing on Azerbaijani culture and cinema. The discussion highlighted the ideological and aesthetic merits of “Sermon to the Void,” the concluding piece of Hilal Baydarov’s “Sermon” trilogy. The film was praised for its role in presenting Azerbaijani literature, thought processes, and folklore on a global stage.

The narrative of the film draws inspiration from the work of Mahammad Fuzuli, a prominent Azerbaijani poet and thinker, and reimagines the quest for the water of life as an introspective journey. Hilal Baydarov and Aysu Akcan are credited as the scriptwriters, with Orkhan Fikretoglu serving as the producer. The film is a collaborative effort involving Azerbaijani, Mexican, and Turkish cinematographers, featuring performances by actors Huseyn Nasirov, Maryam Naghiyeva, Rena Askerova, Elshan Abbasov, and Orkhan Isganderli.