Private Project

Quyu - The Well

The ecological thriller in a timeless landscape visually narrates the arduous journey of a water diviner. Driven by his ambitions, fear, and inner struggle, through his tireless efforts of digging water wells, he seeks to uncover the essence of life itself—water—to achieve his ultimate goal of restoring vitality and life to the barren land around him. Yet, fate intervenes, and his path takes an unexpected turn. Stumbling upon the object of his quest, he succumbs to the temptation of water, reveling in its allure and power to the point of almost forgetting his mission. Unsatiated with his thirst, he drowns in his ambitions and embarks on a journey to a world overflowing with water, where he discovers a treasure of hope—a chance to rebuild the life that was once lost.

  • Rufat Ray
    Director
  • Rufat Ray
    Writer
  • Irada Bagirzade
    Producer
  • Parviz Mammadrzaev
    Key Cast
    "Water Diviner"
  • Shamil Suleymanli
    Key Cast
    "Ferryman"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, ecofiction, fiction, short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 20, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Azerbaijan
  • Country of Filming:
    Azerbaijan
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    21:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 33.Cottbus Film Festival 2023
    Cottbus
    Germany
    World Premiere
    Official Selection, Eco Section
  • Clermont-Ferrand 2023 Festival international du court métrage
    Clermont-Ferrand
    France
    Short Film Market Picks
  • Baku International Film Festival 2024
    Baku
    Azerbaijan
    National Premiere
    Best Film, Golden Pomegranate Award
  • Bastau Film Festival 2024
    Almaty
    Kazakhstan
    Kazakhstan Premiere
    Official Selection, Short Film Competition
Director Biography - Rufat Ray

Rufat Ray is a filmmaker from Baku, Azerbaijan based in the USA. His professional debut, the fictional short film "The Well" (2023), had its world premiere at the Cottbus International Film Festival in Germany, was featured at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival in France, and won the Best Film, Golden Pomegranate Award in 15. Baku International Film Festival. Rufat also participated in the MPV Talents Nest Program at the 2023 Vilnius International Film Festival. Currently residing in the USA, he studies Film Production and Cinematography MFA at OHIO University Fine Arts, School of Film.

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