Alia Azamat Ashkenazi

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Alia Azamat Ashkenazi
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Born
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
NationalityUzbekistani
Occupation
  • Screenwriter
  • Director
  • Poet
  • Journalist

Alia Azamat Ashkenazi is a screenwriter, director, published poet and former journalist, born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and raised in Moscow, Russia. Alia is a granddaughter of the Soviet football striker, Berador Abduraimov and daughter of the Champion of Asian Games Azamat Abduraimov. Coming from a lineage of Uzbek athletes, her entry into the professional world was in sports journalism and radio.[1][2] Trained as a Stanislavski theater director in Russia, Alia transitioned to film and television in the United States. [1][3][4]

Early life

Ashkenazi was born to an international soccer player, Azamat Abduraimov, and spent her childhood in the world of sports, playing competitive tennis.[2] Despite her athletic legacy, she developed an interest in drama and poetry during her teenage years and graduated high school as an Honors student and Valedictorian.[2][5][1]

Career

Starting her career in 2006 as a journalist in Russia, Ashkenazi later shifted her focus to dramatic writing and visual storytelling.[5] A recipient of two United Nations Awards, Ashkenazi was recognized for her work in a documentary Sadako and her theater writing and direction in Michael Jackson: Peacemaking.[3][2]

Upon moving to New York in 2014, she pursued a career in film and television.[3] After graduating from NYFA,[6] she contributed as a Script Supervisor to projects such as Russian Doll, The Sinner, and Love, Victor.[6]

Ashkenazi's written works, such as the short films Am I Pretty, Mama, Stay, and particularly Esther's Choice, which she also directed and produced, have received acclaim.[7][8] A Francois Arnaud-starrer, Esther's Choice was recognized at the Venice Shorts[9] and Chelsea Film Festival.[10] and was an Official Selection at the international Santa Fe Film Festival. [11]

The feature documentary about a Korean footballer Mikhail An Misha,[12] which Ashkenazi co-wrote and co-directed narrative scenes for, has garnered attention and awards across various film festivals, including winning Best Documentary Feature Award at Oxford International Film Festival in the UK.[13]

Ashkenazi is currently working on multiple projects, including directing and producing a French drama set in 1960s Réunion island starring Cyril Guei and Laetitia Eido. The film deals with the tragedy of Children of Creuse and is set to be produced by Tiktak Production.[14]

Besides writing and directing for film and TV, Alia also direct commercials.[15][16] In the summer of 2023, she has been invited to serve in the Jury of Young Guns Awards.[17][18][19] The YG Jury consists of an international panel of the best up & coming creative stars from the majority of global advertising agency networks. Past Young Guns include rising stars who went on to become leaders in their chosen fields, including Academy-Award winning filmmakers Daniels and Calmatic; graphic designer Jessica Walsh; illustrator Christoph Niemann; fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond; typographer Alex Trochut; film and video director Mike Mills, and others.[19]

Style and themes

Ashkenazi's writing often has ensemble cast narratives that regularly employ story devices such as imaginary characters and dream sequences.[20] [16] Central themes in her work involve family, identity, success, romantic love, and parent-child relationships.[21] [4] [2] [16]

Personal life

Outside of her film career, Ashkenazi is also a champion backgammon player[22][23], winning tournaments such as Boston Open[24], Texas Ultimate Backgammon Championship[25] and 3rd Capital Classic held in Washington, DC.[26] She is married to the No. 1 American Backgammon player[27] Victor Ashkenazi, one of the top backgammon players in the world[28][29][30][31][32] and former Goldman Sachs trader.[27] [28] [33]

Press

In 2019, an international US-owned broadcaster, Voice of America produced a TV documentary titled "Alia Azamat, Once Upon a Time in New York," focusing on Alia's journey and achievements. The documentary aired on October 19 and was later published on VOA Russia social media platforms and Current Times Asia.[34] [35][1]

In February 2020, Ashkenazi has appeared on a global Russian-speaking TV channel RTVi as a guest on their interview show "Hour Speak" where she discussed her journey from Tashkent to Moscow to New York, and her film career in the US.[2][3][4]

In October 2020, Alia gave a two part interview to Twin Shadow Podcast where she talked about getting to cast name actors such as Francois Arnaud and how her background in journalism, poetry and theater helps her as a filmmaker.[36] [37]

A profile on Alia titled "Alia Azamat Ashkenazi" A Portrait of a Soul" has been published in a March 2022 issue of L'Officiel Russia.

In September 2022, Alia appeared as a guest on The Eddie Conversation podcast where she talked about her process of directing and producing Esther's Choice and shared her tips for aspiring filmmakers.[16]

Filmography

Director

Esther’s Choice (Featurette, 2020, USA)

Sans Paroles (Short, 2024, USA)

Screenwriter

Am I Pretty? (Short, 2014)

Mama (Short, 2015)

Stay (Short, 2021)

Esther’s Choice (Featurette, 2020)

Misha (Documentary, 2020)

The Russian Adoption (Forma Pro Films)

Producer

Am I Pretty? (Short, 2014)

The Motion of the Sun (Feature, 2016)

Esther's Choice (Featurette, 2020)

Misha (Documentary, 2020)

Inspira (Short, 2022)

Circle of Shame (Short, 2024)

Script supervisor

Insidious: The Red Door

Things Heard & Seen

Love, Victor

Russian Doll (Season 2)

The Sinner (Season 3)

Various commercials including those starring Hugh Jackman, Tessa Thompson, Dua Lipa, Samuel L. Jackson, Sydney Sweeney, and 2023 Super Bowl spots with Pete Davidson and Morgan Freeman.

Other credits

Lyrics for "The Sun" by SAHAR

Awards and Recognition

United Nations Award for Sadako (Documentary)

United Nations Award for Michael Jackson: Peacemaking (Theater writing and direction)

Best U.S. Narrative Film at Venice Shorts for Esther’s Choice (Winner)

Best Cinematography at Venice Shorts for Esther’s Choice (Winner)

Best Director at at WorldFest Houston for Esther’s Choice (Winner)

Best Short at Chelsea Film Festival for Esther’s Choice (Nominated)

Best Documentary Feature at Oxford International Film Festival for Misha (Winner)

21 YoungGuns Awards Jury Member[17]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mesheryakova, Elena; Avloshenko, Maksim; Latukhina, Natalia (October 31, 2019). "A documentary about a poet and filmmaker Alia Azamat Ashkenazi". Voice of America Channel.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lesnichaya, Diana (February 26, 2021). "Hour Speak Interview Show with the guest Alia Azamat Ashkenazi". RTVi Channel.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Кому в Нью-Йорке легче выживать". RTVi News (in Russian). September 19, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "«Мы даже не обращаем внимание на такие слова». Есть ли расизм в России?". RTVi News (in Russian). September 19, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Agati, Catherine (September 10, 2019). "Let's Just Talk About The Craft". Vocal Media.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Alia Azamat Ashkenazi Profile - NYFA Notable Alumni". NYFA.edu.
  7. ↑ "Alia Azamat Ashkenazi's Debut "Esther's Choice" is Hauntingly Beautiful". Indieactivity. 2020.
  8. ↑ "UNION CITY FILMMAKER SELECTED FOR GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL". Hudson Reporter. 2020.
  9. ↑ "Award Winners of Venice Shorts".
  10. ↑ Sanchez, Aaron (September 14, 2020). "Interview with Esther's Choice Filmmaker and Cast". ABC "The Morning Show" with Aaron Sanchez.
  11. ↑ "Official Selection of Santa Fe Film Festival, Esther's Choice". 2020.
  12. ↑ Baldassari, Valentine (2021). "Misha: the tragic story of the Uzbek-Korean soccer star who became a Soviet icon". New East Archive.
  13. ↑ "Misha - Official Selection at OXFF 2021". OXFF.com. 2020.
  14. ↑ "Laurent Medea of Tiktak Production at Cannes with Children of Nowhere". Le19H Channel (in French). May 20, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  15. ↑ ""Dharmendra Singh Chandel With His Exceptional Acting Performance On His Way To Make A Big Mark In Hollywood"". Up18News. July 20, 2023.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Vigil, Eddie (September 21, 2022). "#074 Alia Azamat Ashkenazi - Director". Play Pilot.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "CREATIVES FROM 47 COUNTRIES NAMED TO THE ONE CLUB'S YOUNG GUNS 21 JURY". THE ONE CLUB. July 7, 2023.
  18. ↑ "The One Club announces global jury for Young Guns 21". BizCommunity. July 7, 2023.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "The One Club announces the 28 creative leaders from APAC to join Young Guns 21 jury". Adobo Magazine. July 7, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Profile on Alia Azamat Ashkenazi, A Portrait of a Soul". L'Officiel Russia (in Russian). No. March. 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  21. ↑ "Alia Azamat Ashkenazi Director Profile".
  22. ↑ "FINAL 2016 AMERICAN BACKGAMMON TOUR STANDINGS". 2016.
  23. ↑ "ABT - LAS VEGAS BACKGAMMON OPEN RESULTS". 2017.
  24. ↑ "2020 INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT RESULTS". 2020.
  25. ↑ "2016 INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT RESULTS". 2016.
  26. ↑ "FINAL 2015 AMERICAN BACKGAMMON TOUR STANDINGS". 2015.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Patterson, Troy (December 9, 2016). "America's Best Backgammon Player Works at Goldman Sachs". Esquire.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Hazan, Lynn (May 28, 2017). "Grandmaster of Backgammon Victor Ashkenazi". Lynn Hazan (formerly ChickpeaJC).
  29. ↑ Garner, Dwight (April 3, 2019). "How I Won the War Against Regret Playing Backgammon in Monte Carlo".
  30. ↑ Simborg, Phil (2015). "COVER STORY: Victor Ashkenazi, No. 11 Giant of Backgammon". PrimeTime Magazine.
  31. ↑ Storer, Marty. "VICTOR ASHKENAZI VS. KENT GOULDING, CHERRY BLOSSOM MASTERS ROUND 3". PrimeTime Magazine. No. Summer 2023.
  32. ↑ O'Hagan, John. "AN 8-CUBE AGAINST VICTOR ASHKENAZI". PrimeTime Magazine. No. Summer 2023.
  33. ↑ Bet-David, Patrick (October 25, 2018). "Goldman Sachs to Backgammon Grand Master Predicts Market Crash". Valuetainment.
  34. ↑ "Поэтесса и сценаристка Алиа Азамат о Нью-Йорке, Ташкенте и Москве". Facebook. October 30, 2019.
  35. ↑ Wolf, Elena. "Alia Azamat, Once Upon a Time in new York".
  36. ↑ "TSP Ep 63 Part 1: Interview of Writer and Director Alia Azamat Ashkenazi". Apple Podcasts. October 9, 2020.
  37. ↑ "TSP Ep 63 Part 2: Interview of Writer and Director Alia Azamat Ashkenazi". Apple Podcasts. October 16, 2020.

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