Ali & Nino

Ali & Nino

Around the time of World War I in the Caspian Sea region, Asif Kapadia’s “Ali & Nino” is a sweeping romance. This type of lush historical drama may have been made in Hollywood in the 1930s but today owes its existence to foreign producers and, above all, a famous literary source.

The book behind the movie caused Paul Theroux to say: “This wonderful novel beautifully constructed, vivid and convincing, a love story both exotic and familiar is living proof that art is indestructible and transcendent,” though it may be unknown even to many Americans versed in 20th century world literature.

Published for the first time in German in Vienna in 1937, “Ali & Nino” is attributed to Kurban Said, a pseudonym. Since it was rediscovered after World War II this continued to gain popularity while discussions about who wrote it raged on. At present most opinion credits two people with its publishing: Lev Nussimbaum (born a Jew in Russia who spent most childhood years living Baku before fleeing Bolshevik invasion for Germany where he converted to Islam and wrote under name Essad Bey) as well as his supposed collaborator Austrian baroness Elfriede Ehrenfels (who may or may not have had anything do with writing this book but managed get copyright registered by German authorities when Nussimbaum could not due Jewish heritage).

Over decades many attempts were made at bringing this novel onto screen however British production company backed by playwright Christopher Hampton (“Dangerous Liaisons”) script writer director from England lead actors Israeli Spanish origin were employed for making such film therefore obviously being quite different from what would have been if produced directed acted out by filmmakers writers cast members representing cultures depicted therein particularly Azerbaijan though also Georgia Armenian Iranian among others Former Soviet republics.

This does matter when dealing with text labelled as being “a bravura display of passionate ethnography” by Theroux, one that he compares to Moby Dick Madame Bovary and Ulysses because it describes with much detail culture known little about in western world. In their version of Said’s story Hampton et al tried incorporating some such details besides using authentic settings landscapes but understandably they downplayed its ethnographic side in favour more love oriented aspect.

Nonetheless, where history is concerned religion still counts even across cultures like these Ali Khan Shirvanshir (Adam Bakri) a young Muslim born into traditionalist family but having had exposure to western ideas through studying at Russian high school located within Baku meets Nino (María Valverde) Christian royal figure from Georgia Tbilisi whom he falls for instantly once introduced to her by mutual friends.

However both families are against this union due various reasons including clash between their different beliefs systems traditions customs norms values practices etcetera not forgetting that World War I breaks out soon after which causes more problems since while father approves son’s choice girl’s dad wants them wait until end of conflict assuming it will last only few months.

A serpent writhes in this garden of complexities. Malik (Riccardo Scamarcio), an Armenian Christian, offers to take the couple’s case to Nino’s parents, but being secretly in love with her himself he abducts her and flees to Russia. Ali follows him and kills his friend. Since the death will provoke a blood feud, Ali is forced to flee to the mountains of Dagestan. When Nino finds him there, they marry and spend some time away from civilization.

Their paradise ends when they are compelled to go back to Baku. With the city threatened by deserting Imperial troops, Ali chooses to fight for his country while Nino becomes a nurse. However, the chaos and danger keep escalating so that Nino is taken away to Persia after she announces that she is pregnant; there she lives in seclusion under the watchful eye of a eunuch and gives birth to a daughter.

After World War I ends and Azerbaijan gains independence for the first time in centuries, Ali brings his newfound family back home. It’s a moment filled with national pride and joy as Azeris assure each other that their autonomy will be preserved by Treaty of Versailles but what they have overlooked is Russian Revolution which comes shortly thereafter . Within months Bolshevik armies move into fledgling republic thus sealing fate for both Ali and Nino.

In Kapadia’s film adaptation , Said’s novel provides basis for passionate love story which serves as anchor point while also exploring interesting parts of history (the area around Baku produced half world’s oil during this period making it coveted by many empires as well corporations). In different ways some viewers may find echoes with Doctor Zhivago another famous romantic novel set at same time but resulted into an much grander epic picture than “Ali & Nino”, sweeping across vast landscapes like no other studio release from that era ever had done before.

And there were major international stars involved, not to mention David Lean directing. “Ali and Nino” is inferior in every way, shape or form. Granted the difference in budget might explain most of it but there’s also level of talent employed here.

Kapadia has been known for his amazing documentaries such as ‘Senna’ or ‘Amy’, however those movies did not seem to teach him how best develop performances from unknown actors. Although Bakri and Valverde are both good looking performers too often their time on screen together seems spent gazing at each other with foolish grins a weakness which undermines surrounding them powerful dramatic situations.

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