"It's too early to discuss the government's exit from the film industry," said Ozodbek Nazarbekov.

In August of this year, Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov announced that the development of the film industry will be possible if "Uzbekkino" (the current Cinematographic Agency) stops producing films. According to him, the agency should only act as a client, fostering and supporting private companies. He also mentioned that work is already underway in this direction.

However, at a press conference held on December 24 at AIMK, it was announced that the state is still engaged in film production, with 65 film projects being considered for the next year. Ozodbek Nazarbekov commented on this situation.

"I stand by my opinion: for cinema to develop at the expected level and to thrive in society, [the Cinematographic Agency] must stop producing films. Only then, as you mentioned, will the commercial films you are waiting for emerge. Right now, Shuhrat aka has presented Uzbekistan's strategy in cinema. That is, what the state orders, what orders it makes, and funds allocated for this. Therefore, Uzbekistan currently has work in the film sector. Shuhrat aka explained all of this."

"But, I repeat, if the state continues to produce films, do not expect that cinema will live, develop, or reach a global level," — stated the minister.

The minister also emphasized that the state never makes films solely for profit. To earn money from films, they need to be adorned with various eye-catching elements. "If you look at our films, more attention is paid to ideas, national identity, and highlighting our history," — he noted.

"First of all, it's very expensive, especially historical films are quite costly. As I mentioned, transitioning cinema to a fully commercial basis in the future may lead to various..."

"... To create a product at the Hollywood level, we need to spend 20 million dollars on one film. That's the essence of it. Therefore, there are many objective and subjective questions here. Cinema, first and foremost, is a tool that quickly influences ideas worldwide. So how correct is it to hand over this sphere to private hands in Uzbekistan?" — pondered Nazarbekov.

The minister also added that Uzbekistan is a developing country that is just finding its feet and is facing ideological attacks.

"We need to reach this level, our cinematography must receive the appropriate budget, and our society needs a protective immunity. Only then can such things be realized. Private filmmakers in Hollywood do not make films that go against U.S. policies. Time is needed, and everyone — both society and the state — must be ready for this. Today, we must ask: is immunity being strengthened in our society to protect the nation, or is it, on the contrary, destabilizing it? It takes time to form public opinion," — noted the Minister of Culture and Tourism.