Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A presentation of Islamkhodja documentary film by Uzbekistan’s film director Jakhongir Akhmedov was held at the memorial complex of the 28th United States President Woodrow Wilson, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The film returns viewers to Khorezm at the beginning of the twentieth century, where a young researcher investigates mysterious death of the great vizier Islamkhodja, who served two of the last Khiva khans.

Despite the fact that at that time the Khiva Khanate was under the protectorate of the Russian Empire, the authority and knowledge allowed Islamkhodja to freely discuss international and national policies with Emperor Nicholas II.

Islamkhodja enjoyed greater respect and political power than the ruling Khan. He advocated educational, economic and cultural reforms that threatened the ruling elite.

Historical details, the Khiva’s Ichan-Kala open-air museum, preserved authentic interiors became a convincing background of the unfolding drama based on documentary evidence.

Matthew Rojansky, Director of the Kennan Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, writer Natalie Rouland, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Javlon Vakhabov, author of the film Jakhongir Akhmedov took part in a lively discussion after watching the film.

More than 200 spectators, among whom were well-known directors, scriptwriters, producers, film critics, artists, art historians, writers, as well as representatives of official and business circles of Washington, became interested not only in how the film was shot, how the story corresponds to historical realities, but also the state and development prospects of Uzbekistan’s cinematography.

Guests praised the work of Uzbekistan’s director. It was noted that such films deserve high praise and are an integral part of the world film industry.

During the session, proposals were made to consider the distribution possibility of similar films by Uzbek directors on American screens.