SECTION: Close-Up: Kazakhstan

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Epic expanses with modern swag. Close-Up: Kazakhstan offers an overview of the undreamed-of diversity of Kazakh cinema. Here, slacker comedy meets pop folklore and silent protest meets historical genre smash hit. From the Cannes classic to the small-time gangster road movie to the historical horror trip, the films tell of a nation that knows how to constantly reinvent itself creatively and always delivers the best entertainment.

KASEN AND KUSAYIN

Касен мен Кусайын

Inkar Yerkinkazykyzy
KAZ / 2023 / 18 min

Two brothers in the vastness of the Kazakh steppe. Kasen and Kusayin are orphans and really don’t have anything but each other. Their deep bond is put to the test when their aunt and uncle are expecting a child of their own and the brothers are ...

MERGEN

Raiymbek Alzhanov
KAZ / 2021 / 26 min

Historical genre hit in the Kazakh steppe. 17th century. The boy Mergen has to defend his family because his father is not there.

JANUARY

Alisher Zhadigerov
KAZ / 2022 / 11 min

In the quiet of her apartment, a mother is mourning her son who moved out to fight for freedom. .

Last Screening

Posledniy Seans

Darezhan Omirbayev
KAZ / 2022 / 30 min

Cinematic meditation on the cultural identity of Kazakhstan by Cannes winner and grand master of Kazakh cinema: Darezhan Omirbayev.

DER WEITE WEG ZURÜCK

Ralph Weihermann/Alexej Getmann
DE / 2018 / 86 min

A world between two cultures, between loss and new beginnings. Maria and Peter Warkentin have once been actors at the German Theater of the Russian Federation in Kazakhstan. Then they moved to Germany and are now looking back.

DOS-MUKASAN

Aidan Sakhaman
KAZ / 2023 / 123 min

Musical fireworks full of intrigue. A Kazakh folkloric pop band is conquering Europe, but they are a thorn in the side of officials in Moscow. Soon the band members begin to disagree about what is worth living for.

KILLER

Darezhan Omirbayev
FR/KAZ / 1998 / 75 min

Murder in exchange for a life. Marat is a chauffeur who fell into debt after a traffic accident. When his baby falls ill, he agrees to murder a journalist, but the guilt weighs heavily on him.

QAS

QASH

Aisultan Seit
KAZ / 2022 / 113 min

Historical horror trip in the Kazakh steppes as a stylish epic from Travis Scott's music video director. Isatai has buried the dead and is now looking for food with the elder Tebe and the child Alim, but he soon discovers Tebe's dark plan.

TALE OF A PINK BUNNY

Farhat Sharipov
KAZ / 2010 / 105min min

A pop music-driven small-time gangster journey from the cornfield to the golf course. Yerlan has made it from the village to the city. He hangs out with the rich kids, who turn out to be gangster offshoots. When one of the bosses needs a favor, the ...

SECTION: Close-Up: Kazakhstan

KASEN AND KUSAYIN