Izzet Orujova
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September 16, 1909
Izzet Orujova | |
|---|---|
| İzzət Orucova | |
 Orujova in Sevil (1929) | |
| Born | Izzet Khanim Mirzaaga Orujova September 16, 1909 |
| Died | April 22, 1983 (aged 73) Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union |
| Alma mater | Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University |
| Occupations | Chemist, actress |
| Children | 1 |
Izzet Khanim Mirzaaga Orujova[1] (Azerbaijani: İzzət Xanım Mirzəağa Orucova; 16 September 1909 – 22 April 1983) was an Azerbaijani chemist and actress. She was the first Azerbaijani film actress,[2][3][4][5] starring in the film Sevil (1929), and an important figure in the Azerbaijani women's rights movement for her portrayal of a liberated young woman in the film. She later enjoyed a distinguished academic career, being one of the first female chemistry students in Azerbaijan[4] and the country's first female oil engineer.[5] Her research on improving motor oils was important to the war effort of the Soviet Union in World War II and earned her the Order of the Badge of Honour.[1][6] Throughout her scientific career she authored hundreds of works, held talks internationally, and was awarded numerous other awards.
Acting
At the age of 19, Orujova was noticed while on a walk in Baku by film director Ismail Idayatzadeh and playwright Jafar Jabbarly. At the time, Idayatzadeh and Jabbarly were searching for actresses suitable for portraying the main role in the film Sevil (1929), based on a play of the same name by Jabbarly. Sevil is about themes such as freedom and equality, the struggle for women's rights, and the disappearance of the old world and its traditional customs.[1] The main character in the film was an Azerbaijani girl named Sevil, who is kicked out by her husband Balash and takes fate in her own hands, studying in Moscow and removing her hijab as a statement of liberation and emancipation. Although her husband Balash attempts to return to Sevil after she returns from Moscow, she refuses him after having realised that she does not need him.[7]
Though Azerbaijani women had long not been allowed to appear in films and there were already several Armenian girls considered for the role, Jabbarly was adamant that an Azerbaijani girl had to play the role, both to stay true to his source material and as a bold challenge to society.[1] The challenge was made especially daunting since Orujova filmed without a hijab. To ensure her safety, Jabbarly personally drove Orujova to and from filming.[4][7] Although Orujova's father at first forbade her from appearing in the film, he was convinced after repeated meetings with Idayatzadeh and Jabbarly.[1]
Following the filming of Sevil, Orujova and her sisters were among the first Azerbaijani women to remove their hijab.[4][7] The premiere of the film, which was attended by Orujova's entire family, convinced more women to throw off their hijab, including Orujova's mother.[5]
Orujova was the first Azerbaijani film actress[2][3][4][5] and Sevil was the first Azerbaijani film with sound.[5] Orujova's performance as a liberated young woman had a significant impact on the evolving women's rights movements in the country.[4][5] After the premiere of Sevil on 3 September 1929, Orujova's successful performance in the film inspired Jabbarly to write a further film script with her in mind for the main role, Almaz. The death of Jabbarly in 1934 meant that he was not involved in the film's production.[1] Almaz was eventually filmed and released in 1936, produced by Jabbarly's friends and with Orujova starring in the film.[2][7] In Almaz, Orujova portrays the teacher Almaz who arrives in a village and struggles with the ignorance and illiteracy of the locals.[7]