Imam Hasanov is an Azerbaijani film director and screenwriter. He was born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1952. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts and Culture in 1975.
Hasanov's career as a director began in 1982 with the feature film "The White Scene". The film is a portrait of the traditional life and culture of Azerbaijanis in rural areas. It was a success and Hasanov was awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize in 1983.
In the following years, Hasanov developed a reputation for making socially conscious films that tackled difficult topics like poverty, corruption and injustice. His films often depicted the plight of the poor and disadvantaged in Azerbaijan. Hasanov was also known for his use of symbolism and metaphor to convey his messages.
In 1989, Hasanov released "The Color of Pomegranates". The film was a critical and commercial success and was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was a poetic retelling of the life of the 18th century poet Sayat-Nova.
Hasanov's 1993 film "The Lezgin People" was another critical success. The film was a powerful portrayal of the struggles of the Lezgin people living in the Russian Caucasus. It was nominated for the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 1996, Hasanov released his most successful film to date, "The Old Man and the Sea". The film tells the story of an elderly fisherman and his struggle to catch a giant fish. It was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and won the Nika Award for Best Film.
Since then, Hasanov has continued to make socially conscious films that tackle difficult themes. His most recent film is the drama "The Voice of Silence" (2014). The film explores the issues of poverty and inequality in Azerbaijan and was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
Hasanov is widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in Azerbaijan. His films have become classics in the country and he has won numerous awards for his work. He is seen as a symbol of Azerbaijani culture and an important influence on the country's cinema.
