Half a century ago, the Turkmen drama "The Heir" was released, filmed by film director Kakov Orazsakhatov based on the story of the same name by the Turkmen writer Anna Paytyk "Ýurt eýesi".

The story was first published in the magazine "Friendship of Peoples", then it was published as a separate book by the publishing house "Young Guard" and was even translated into Latvian.

Writer Anna Paytyk lived through the Patriotic War as a child. The events described by the author took place before his eyes. The drama "The Heir" is the story of a young woman named Arzygul, who married her beloved Ilaman a few days before the war. After seeing her husband off to the front, she and other women had to replace men in the collective farm field.

In 1975, a young Turkmen film director, Kakov Orazsakhatov, began filming a movie based on this story. Anna Paytyk became the film's chief consultant.

The director had to look for an actress to play the main role for a long time. A young, beautiful actress with character was needed, just like the author of the story imagined. After much deliberation, the director's choice fell on actress Oguljan Nyyazberdiyeva. The members of the artistic council of the film studio agreed with the director's opinion.

For Oguljan, an actress of the Aman Gulmamedov Youth Theater, the film "The Heir" was the second. Before that, the graduate of the Shchepkin Theater School made her debut in the film "When a Woman Saddles a Horse" directed by Khodjakuli Narliev. She played a secondary role there, and nevertheless managed to win the love of film lovers and was remembered not only by Turkmen film directors, but also by directors of fraternal republics.

Oguljan was happy that she, an aspiring actress, was entrusted with the main role in such a complex drama, but at the same time she was afraid whether she would justify the trust of the film crew. She grew up in the provincial town of Gyzalarvat in a large family, and from the stories of her father, Nyyazberdi aga, a teacher-front-line soldier, a disabled person of the second group, she imagined how difficult the war times were.

For the location, the film crew chose the village of Atchapar in the Iolatan etrap of the Mary velayat. This is where the events described by the author took place. Oguljan Nyyazberdiyeva had to quickly get used to field work, as her heroine went through a difficult path from an ordinary collective farmer to a foreman. The film was shot in the unbearable summer heat, and all the actors involved experienced difficulties.

In the midst of the filming process, not only the crew, but also the locals watched life unfold in front of the camera. Oguljan Nyyazberdieva easily got into character. She had to go against the greedy chairman of the collective farm Atalyk (actor Artyk Dzhalliev), to fight off the obscene harassment of storekeeper Abalak (actor Hommat Mulluk). Moreover, as the foreman of the cotton pickers, she had to prove her case to the regional party committee. The logistical difficulties of the war years fell on Arzygul's fragile shoulders. At the same time, she mentally did not stop communicating with her lover Ilaman. Like all the villagers, she waited wholeheartedly for victory. The postman did not bring letters from Ilaman, she replaced her trouble with work in the field.

The war ended with a long-awaited Victory. Life went on as usual. After an unequal struggle with the district committee, Arzygul had to leave her job as a foreman. She was left alone with her mother-in-law Mamur eje (actress Sabyr Annagylydzhova). Both women wanted to have a child at home, an heir who would remind them of Ilaman. They wanted to adopt a child, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

Seven years have passed. Arzigul, having lost her job, began to help the visiting master in the construction of the bridge. Ovez (actor Tanryguly Seyitkulyev) at first glance was a sullen and taciturn man. But the bridge they built for people connected their destinies. Daily communication with Arzigul gradually warmed his soul, which had suffered greatly from the war. Hope for a second happiness flickered in Arzigul's heart. And one day she confessed to Mamur eje about her desire to build a new family. She suggested to Mamur eje not to part with her and to continue to be her mother. But Mamur eje replied that although she was weak, she had not lost her conscience yet.

A new life begins for Arzigul and Ovez. After learning that his wife is expecting a child, Ovez does not leave her for a minute. At the maternity hospital, Arzygul persuades her husband to give their firstborn to Mamur eje, so she can fulfill her daughter-in-law's mission. Ovez approved of Arzygul's intentions, and one evening she returns to her native hearth with a one-year-old baby. Meeting with the former daughter-in-law greatly excited Mamur eje. She accepts a baby named Vepaly as her own grandson.

...The film ends with an elderly man and a teenager attending the wedding of Vepaly (actor Charyyar Seyidov). Without introducing himself, he gives the groom the key to the motorcycle, and the bride a ring as a wedding gift and leaves. Neither Mamur eje nor Vepaly understand what is happening. Vepaly, catching up with the stranger, asks him to introduce himself. And Ovez reveals the purpose of his visit. He is Arzigul's husband, and the teenager with him is their second son, during whose birth she died. Only then does it become clear that Ovez came to his son's wedding.

Film director Kakov Orazsakhatov was pleased with the actors' performance. The cameraman, Usman Saparov, did a brilliant job. And the music of composer Aman Agadzhikov based on the words of poet Ata Atajanov "Mirasdarym" performed by Atageldi Garyagdiyev became a wonderful leitmotif of the film.

In 1976, the IX Film Festival was held in Bishkek, which was attended by all the republics of the former Soviet Union. The film "The Heir" was also presented at this prestigious film festival. The Grand Prix in the nomination "For the best female role" was awarded to Oguljan Nyyazberdieva.

After this success, the actress became a star in the truest sense of the word. She was recognized everywhere. The film "The Heir" was written about in the magazines "Soviet Screen" and "Theater", and many positive articles appeared in the Turkmen press.

Oguljan Nyyazberdiyeva was constantly receiving offers from directors, not only from Turkmen, but also from Kazakhfilm and Kirghizfilm studios. But unexpectedly for everyone, she disappeared from sight for a long time. She stopped playing on the stage of her favorite theater and acting in films. She devoted her life to her family and at the same time engaged in teaching activities. For many years, she taught stage speech at the Faculty of Theater at the State Institute of Culture. During this time, she starred only in the films "Soul Burned" and "Turn", "Snake Island". And despite the minor roles, Oguljan Nyyazberdieva was able to bring them to the level of the main roles with her talents.

When asked why an actress with such a successful creative start had such a sequel, Oguljan Nyyazberdieva explains:

— Between art and family, I chose family. In the early 1980s, the famous Turkmen film director Baba Annanov invited me to play the lead role in the drama "Doves Live in Kariz," but I declined. I live the life of an Arzygul. Rather, her image lives in me. I have a dream to visit the places where this film was shot. It is said that people still use the bridge there, which Arzygul built together with Ovez. The local population calls it the Arzygul Bridge. I am happy that neither the filmmakers nor the audience have forgotten me. I am glad that some of my students have become People's Artists of Turkmenistan today.

Currently, Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Oguljan Nyyazberdiyeva serves in the country's Main Academic Theater. She is almost always engaged in leading roles, and often viewers or colleagues address her by the name of Arzygul…

Meretgylych YAGMYROV for ORIENT