Year: 1999

Format: 35 mm

Runtime: 1 hr 38 min (98 min)

'The making of a new empire' pictures a man and a world you have not seen yet. Set in the archaïc and anarchic world of Chechnya, the film portrays Khozh-Ahmed Noukhaev. Twenty-five years ago, he founded a Moscow-based underground movement, which later became known as the notorious Chechen mafia. To the Chechens however, it was the cradle of their liberation movement. Noukhaev fits in the long and strong tradition of the bandit-warrior. He is godfather, escaped convict, war hero, publicity manager and visionary combined in a single person. In this film we get to know his personal story, and through him we learn about the mystical and proud, but also violent history of the Chechen people. The film depicts mythology and ancient rituals, but we also get a glimpse of the future, as Mr. Noukhaev reveals his plans for the Caspian region as he now controls the oil pipes. This makes him a most welcome guest on the London stock exchange. Shot in Chechnya, Azerbeijan and London.

As Russian artillery pounds Chechnya anew, Dutch helmer Jos de Putter's "The Making of a New Empire" presents a remarkably intimate profile of regional strongman Khozh-Ahmed Noukhaev. The docu at once clarifies the Islamic area's volatile mix of fiercely nationalistic tradition and contemporary geopolitical value, while remaining tantalizingly elusive and contradictory about the man himself. Tube play seems logical.

First seen touring the hinterland in a convoy of luxury automobiles, devout Muslim Noukhaev comes across as a dapper blend of godfather and matinee idol, attending prayer services and doling out crisp $ 100 bills to villagers who entreat God to "have pleasure in him." Yet Noukhaev's rise to unofficial power came via founding of the feared Chechen Mafia, and his grandiose plans to restore the capital, Grozny, from moonscape to symbolic paradise, via a London-based oil conglomerate --- and smack at least as much of personal as patriotic motivations. De Putter's nonjudgmental approach underscores the tangled history and uncertain future of a proud , blood-drenched realm. Tech credits are crisp under challenging conditions.

Awards:

Winner of the L.J. Jordaanprijs 2000 (best film of the year)

Nominated for Golden Calf best documentary and nominated for critic's award, Dutch Film Festival

Festivals:

International Filmfestival Toronto, Berlinale: Forum, IDFA, Rotterdam, Göteborg, Florence, Sao Paulo, New York, Minneapolis, Thessaloniki, Karlovy Vary, St. Petersburg, München, Taiwan, Vienna, Bilbao, Leeds, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon, Washington, Berkeley, Chicago, Kiev

Written & directed by Jos de Putter

Director of photography: Andrej Adamczak

Edited by Danniel Danniel; Puck Goossen

Sound recording: Lukas Novicki

Original music by Vincent van Warmerdam

Sound design: Boon & Booy

Produced by Jan Heijs, Ruud Monster