A new film about Ibn Sina to be made in Tajikistan without Soviet-era stereotypes
For the first time since independence, Tajikistan is producing a feature film about Abu Ali ibn Sina — the father of modern medicine, a prominent Persian-Tajik thinker, philosopher and poet. The film is being directed by Sohibyor Tolib, who shared details of the project in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to the director, the idea for the film emerged after Tajikfilm invited local filmmakers to submit proposals for historical feature films. His project was later approved by the Artistic Council, and initial funding has already been allocated.
A different perspective on Ibn Sina’s story
At least two films about Ibn Sina were made during the Soviet period. However, Tolib says the new production will differ significantly from previous works, including the 1956 film directed by renowned Soviet Tajik filmmaker Kamil Yarmatov.
According to him, filmmakers during the Soviet era worked within the ideological framework of that time and did not have complete creative freedom.
«Directors were not free to portray pre-Soviet history as it really was or to show the beauty of the societies of that period. They mainly focused on social problems and feudalism. Today, we no longer face such restrictions,» Tolib said.
The director noted that the new film will not simply recreate Ibn Sina’s biography based on historical documents, as such films have already been made. Instead, the project will focus more on cinematic storytelling, particularly the early years of Ibn Sina’s life and the period when he served at the court of rulers.
Research and script development for the project have been underway for about three months. The work is being carried out under the supervision of Tajikfilm’s Artistic Council and specialists from the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
Tolib said the research follows professional screenwriting standards, and after the first draft of the script is completed, it will undergo discussions with academic experts.
«There is no need to prove that a Tajik is Tajik»
Commenting on attempts by some researchers and countries to present Ibn Sina as a Turk or Uzbek, Tolib said the thinker’s Tajik identity and cultural background will naturally be reflected in the film.
«There is no need to prove to anyone that a Tajik is Tajik. Ibn Sina grew up in the environment of Tajik culture and language, and this will be obvious in the film itself, without any claims or artificial disputes,» he said.
According to the director, the main goal of the film is to focus on Ibn Sina’s knowledge, personality and the fascinating world of the young scholar.
Casting the main actor remains a challenge
Choosing an actor to play the young Ibn Sina is considered one of the most difficult stages of production, Tolib said.
The actor will need special preparation, as the role requires not only knowledge of reading Persian manuscripts but also the ability to quickly write in the Nastaliq script — one of the most elegant and flowing styles of Persian calligraphy based on the Arabic alphabet.
«Creating such a large-scale historical film requires a great deal of time. Next year, we expect to begin preparing the sets, including the construction of city quarters, palaces, madrasas and historical streets. From filming to editing and final production, the entire process will take at least one to two years,» Tolib told Asia-Plus.
Soviet-era films about Ibn Sina
The 1956 historical feature film Abu Ali ibn Sina, directed by Kamil Yarmatov, is considered the first and one of the most significant Soviet cinematic works about the legendary physician and philosopher.
The screenplay was written by Tajikistan’s People’s Writer Sotim Ulughzoda and Soviet screenwriter Viktor Vitkovich, while the main role was played by young actor Marat Aripov.
Later, in 1982, Tajikfilm and Uzbekfilm jointly produced the feature film The Youth of Genius, which focused on Ibn Sina’s childhood and adolescence.
Debate over Ibn Sina’s origins continues
During the Soviet period, claims that Abu Ali ibn Sina was Turkic or Uzbek became the subject of heated debate. Tajik scholars and researchers responded strongly to such arguments, but discussions continue today.
Last year, international media outlet CNN also described Ibn Sina as Uzbek, which triggered reactions among social media users in Tajikistan. The public called on the Ministry of Culture and the National Academy of Sciences to respond.
At a January 2025 press conference, Culture Minister Matlubakhon Sattoriyon told Asia-Plus that the issue should be addressed «firmly while observing diplomatic norms.»
«Without taking historical sources into account, the geniuses of Tajik science and literature, as well as the literary heritage of our nation, are sometimes attributed to another nation, which unfortunately remains highly controversial,» she said.
Sattoriyon added that such claims «are an insult not only to Tajik history and culture but also to the broader heritage of Persian literature.»
She stressed, however, that the CNN publication was not an official statement by another country but rather a media report that lacked sufficient historical justification.
It remains unclear whether Tajik authorities formally responded to the publication.
Ibn Sina’s legacy
Abu Ali ibn Sina — regarded as the father of medical science, a physician, philosopher and one of the greatest Persian-Tajik scholars — was born in 980 in Bukhara. From a young age, he mastered the sciences of his time and created numerous works that influenced global intellectual history.
His most famous works, including The Canon of Medicine, which was used for centuries as a primary medical textbook in European universities, and The Book of Healing, transformed the development of medicine and philosophy worldwide.
Ibn Sina carried out his scientific and political activities at the courts of the Samanid, Ziyarid and Buyid dynasties. He devoted his life to research and serving humanity and died in 1037 in Hamadan, where he was buried.
For the first time since independence, Tajikistan is producing a feature film about Abu Ali ibn Sina — the father of modern medicine, a prominent Persian-Tajik thinker, philosopher and poet. The film is being directed by Sohibyor Tolib, who shared details of the project in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to the director, the idea for the film emerged after Tajikfilm invited local filmmakers to submit proposals for historical feature films. His project was later approved by the Artistic Council, and initial funding has already been allocated.
A different perspective on Ibn Sina’s story
At least two films about Ibn Sina were made during the Soviet period. However, Tolib says the new production will differ significantly from previous works, including the 1956 film directed by renowned Soviet Tajik filmmaker Kamil Yarmatov.
According to him, filmmakers during the Soviet era worked within the ideological framework of that time and did not have complete creative freedom.
«Directors were not free to portray pre-Soviet history as it really was or to show the beauty of the societies of that period. They mainly focused on social problems and feudalism. Today, we no longer face such restrictions,» Tolib said.
The director noted that the new film will not simply recreate Ibn Sina’s biography based on historical documents, as such films have already been made. Instead, the project will focus more on cinematic storytelling, particularly the early years of Ibn Sina’s life and the period when he served at the court of rulers.
Research and script development for the project have been underway for about three months. The work is being carried out under the supervision of Tajikfilm’s Artistic Council and specialists from the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
Tolib said the research follows professional screenwriting standards, and after the first draft of the script is completed, it will undergo discussions with academic experts.
«There is no need to prove that a Tajik is Tajik»
Commenting on attempts by some researchers and countries to present Ibn Sina as a Turk or Uzbek, Tolib said the thinker’s Tajik identity and cultural background will naturally be reflected in the film.
«There is no need to prove to anyone that a Tajik is Tajik. Ibn Sina grew up in the environment of Tajik culture and language, and this will be obvious in the film itself, without any claims or artificial disputes,» he said.
According to the director, the main goal of the film is to focus on Ibn Sina’s knowledge, personality and the fascinating world of the young scholar.
Casting the main actor remains a challenge
Choosing an actor to play the young Ibn Sina is considered one of the most difficult stages of production, Tolib said.
The actor will need special preparation, as the role requires not only knowledge of reading Persian manuscripts but also the ability to quickly write in the Nastaliq script — one of the most elegant and flowing styles of Persian calligraphy based on the Arabic alphabet.
«Creating such a large-scale historical film requires a great deal of time. Next year, we expect to begin preparing the sets, including the construction of city quarters, palaces, madrasas and historical streets. From filming to editing and final production, the entire process will take at least one to two years,» Tolib told Asia-Plus.
Soviet-era films about Ibn Sina
The 1956 historical feature film Abu Ali ibn Sina, directed by Kamil Yarmatov, is considered the first and one of the most significant Soviet cinematic works about the legendary physician and philosopher.
The screenplay was written by Tajikistan’s People’s Writer Sotim Ulughzoda and Soviet screenwriter Viktor Vitkovich, while the main role was played by young actor Marat Aripov.
Later, in 1982, Tajikfilm and Uzbekfilm jointly produced the feature film The Youth of Genius, which focused on Ibn Sina’s childhood and adolescence.
Debate over Ibn Sina’s origins continues
During the Soviet period, claims that Abu Ali ibn Sina was Turkic or Uzbek became the subject of heated debate. Tajik scholars and researchers responded strongly to such arguments, but discussions continue today.
Last year, international media outlet CNN also described Ibn Sina as Uzbek, which triggered reactions among social media users in Tajikistan. The public called on the Ministry of Culture and the National Academy of Sciences to respond.
At a January 2025 press conference, Culture Minister Matlubakhon Sattoriyon told Asia-Plus that the issue should be addressed «firmly while observing diplomatic norms.»
«Without taking historical sources into account, the geniuses of Tajik science and literature, as well as the literary heritage of our nation, are sometimes attributed to another nation, which unfortunately remains highly controversial,» she said.
Sattoriyon added that such claims «are an insult not only to Tajik history and culture but also to the broader heritage of Persian literature.»
She stressed, however, that the CNN publication was not an official statement by another country but rather a media report that lacked sufficient historical justification.
It remains unclear whether Tajik authorities formally responded to the publication.
Ibn Sina’s legacy
Abu Ali ibn Sina — regarded as the father of medical science, a physician, philosopher and one of the greatest Persian-Tajik scholars — was born in 980 in Bukhara. From a young age, he mastered the sciences of his time and created numerous works that influenced global intellectual history.
His most famous works, including The Canon of Medicine, which was used for centuries as a primary medical textbook in European universities, and The Book of Healing, transformed the development of medicine and philosophy worldwide.
Ibn Sina carried out his scientific and political activities at the courts of the Samanid, Ziyarid and Buyid dynasties. He devoted his life to research and serving humanity and died in 1037 in Hamadan, where he was buried.
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