The Institute of Ismaili Studies in conjunction with Mosaic Global Foundation is pleased to present Osimi (2018), an award-winning documentary. The event will begin with opening remarks from Dr Dagikhudo Dagiev followed by the screening and a discussion with Director/Producer Chris Schueler and Ms Gavhar Osimi. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion with Dr Hakim Elnazarov, Magnus Marsden, and Jalal Badakhchani, moderated by Kamila Akhmedjanova.
About Osimi
In a world in turmoil that is punctuated by ethnic, religious, cultural and philosophical differences, the life-story of Muhammad Osimi (1920–1996), is particularly relevant. The film, “Osimi”, written and directed by Chris Schueler, chronicles the career and life of a man acknowledged as the “Nelson Mandela” of Central Asia. Narrated by Oscar Nominee, Ali MacGraw, Osimi’s story showcases how culture, language, music, poetry and literature can be employed to connect people and ultimately lead to peace. Osimi’s work aimed at strengthening and positioning science and education to form a neutral meeting point in an endeavour to enable and nurture healing and to effect change in our world.
An international audience will gain insights into issues still relevant and crucial to our own understanding of today’s world. Osimi’s legacy won hearts and entire generations through his scholarship and dedication to his own country (Tajikistan) and to humanity in general. Through interviews with former colleagues, friends and family we will witness the story of this remarkable man and his intellectual contribution to the cultural development of Tajikistan, Central Asia and beyond.
Snippets of his private and public life, gathered by family members and colleagues over the decades, are presented together with extracts from videos and interviews filmed in France, India, Russia, Spain, the United States and Osimi’s beloved Tajikistan. Three years in the making, the film follows Osimi’s story from childhood through World War II, the Tajik civil war of the 1990s, his work with UNESCO and his collaboration with the world’s leading scientists.
Please note filming and photography may take place during the event and be used across our website, newsletters and social media accounts. These could include broad shots of the audience and lecture theatre, speakers during the talk, and of audience members participating in Q&A.
Views expressed in this discussion are those of the presenters, not necessarily of IIS, the Ismaili community or its leadership. Promotion of this event is not an explicit endorsement of the ideas presented.
