Discoveries from Kazakhstan World Cinema

The first political thriller from Kazakhstan. The action takes place before the 2005 presidential election. Different political forces struggle for the highest political power. Some of them believe that the crime - just one method of achieving the goal. But criminals, knowing the level of training of special services, chosen quite extraordinary killer for the heads of two states - the dolphin.

The film features video footage of the massacre of demonstrators in Zhanaozen on December 16, 2011, supplemented by the author's footage.

He used to be one of the biggest authorities in his country. But he lost everything and was forced to escape. And now he needs to go through just one night in Paris, in a cramped apartment, in order to go to his son the next morning. Being frightened, he decides to call his best and almost forgotten friend. And this night seems to be very long.

In the festive turmoil between children's matinees, corporate parties and feasts, the deeply pregnant Aizhan and the recently hired Maksat will pass a test of their feelings and especially feel each other, as they swap bodies on a random occasion.

Remix of the 1988 cult movie "The Needle": Moro returns to Alma Ata to collect money owed to him. While waiting out an unexpected delay, he visits his former girlfriend Dina, and discovers she has become a morphine addict. He decides to help her kick the habit and to fight the local drug mafia responsible for her condition. But Moro finds a deadly opponent in "the doctor," the mafia kingpin who is exploiting Dina.

New Year's Eve. Classmates stay in the house on the hillside for various reasons. Everything is happening as if someone specially gathered them here. People who have long lost their faith in fairy tales, at first perceive it as a joke. However, the appearance of an elf and Santa Claus further aggravates the situation. Gradually, they realize that they have really plunged into the world of fairy tales, and they will even have to save the celebration of the New Year, which may not come.

Behind the fragile facade of a successful, self-sufficient and self-confident woman, Ayala, like all women of the subtle East, hides her big little life. Who is she? An ambitious businesswoman? Or a fragile, weak woman floating with the flow of her memories, trying not to drown in the quagmire of the past? But the most important question is: what is the real purpose of a woman - to love and remember, or to let go of the past and be loved?

A cosmopolitan Kazakh man decides to ask his rural Kazakh family members to work in his hotel - fun and chaos ensue.

Three friends open a camp for kids born in the city who do not know the traditions and customs of their ancestors.

«18 Kilohertz» refers to a sound frequency that adults cannot hear. The film focuses on the realities which faced teenagers in Kazakhstan in the late 90s, at the time of the drug boom in Almaty. It tackles one side of the conflict between the child and his parents leading to his alienation and flight from home. What makes the teenager prefer romantic asphalt streets to the cozy parental home?

Once upon in a time in Taraz, a bunch of friends goes to night club and find themselves in a tricky situation after conflict with son of local mobster.

A Kazakh villager has to take care of his pregnant sister-in-law after his brother is thrown in jail.

A young major named Azamat, accustomed to a comfortable city life, by coincidence, is sent to work as an akim in a remote village.

A story about five best friends who left their village to make a fortune in big city.

The film tells the story of Azat, a participant in the first mass patriotic demonstrations in the USSR, who was imprisoned and subjected to abuse by investigators and prison guards. Azat’s prototype was Qayrat Rysqulbekov.

May Day in Alma Ata, 1979. Valera, Karim and Jacob are a crew of hard-partying, drug-taking teenagers looking for kicks during their spring holiday, and they break into the bar at the Highland ice rink and steal an electric guitar. When Valera's dad finds the guitar, he turns his son over to the police, who brutalize him and leave him severely wounded on the outskirts of town. Karim and Jacob kill Valera's father, then hide their friend and do their best to keep him alive.

Timur pretends to be his friend's fiancé in order to save her from her father's wrath.

More recently, the young bride Jania was preparing for the wedding and making wonderful plans for the future. Everything was ruined by her unfaithful fiance, who unexpectedly ran away to his ex. Jania cannot recover from the blow. The New Year is coming – do you really have to meet it with a broken heart? But her devoted friends Saya and Dana will not allow this. They arrange for Jania to take a short winter trip to the miracle stone, which, according to legend, helps to establish a personal life. In any case, they are guaranteed an unforgettable trip, a festive mood and a charge of optimism.

The story about detective Nurtas, who was once forced to face the "reverse side" of life, after which everything dramatically changed. Secret abduction of famous businessman, everyone from relatives and friends to enemies are suspected... Nurtas tries to find the truth, the price of which is high - 2 million dollars and fatal outcome. One and only clue is an accidental witness of the crime. Will Nurtas be able to win the war with the "reverse side" or criminal world will take over?

Unconfident Sanjar receives another refusal in the competition of screenwriters. On the way home, he meets a charming girl Aisulu and they have mutual feelings. In an attempt to impress the girl, Sanjar comes up with a story about shooting his film in America. Lovers talk on the phone all the time. Romantic girl Aisulu decides to surprise the young man and goes to the USA. Sanjar is forced to fly on his first flight to America to beg forgiveness from his beloved.

Kazakhstan. A group of Muslim fundamentalists escapes from Aktau city prison, who staged a terrorist attack on the set in front of a young actress Taira. Hard going through this stress, she goes to her older brother, who lives nearby, on the shore of the Caspian Sea. There she meets Marius, an ornithologist from Europe. While helping him photograph birds, she falls in love with him, unaware that he is the leader of the terrorists. When the hands of a loved one are covered in your brother's blood, your heart is torn to pieces, and you need to make the most terrible choice in your life.

A mother can't stand her son, a sister can't stand her brother, a woman in love can't stand her lover... Love communication brings them neither joy nor liberation, giving them only some oblivion. All this is determined by the atmosphere of fear...

The main character Burakhan Isakhaev is a film director. As a result of a cardiac crisis, he is admitted to the hospital. There he meets people who step by step, opening up to him, are getting closer and closer. One day, unexpectedly, even for Burakhan, they become characters in the film that he conceived.

Baglan, a member of the popular vocal group "Gigitter", lives a normal life, performs a lot, communicates with friends, takes care of his family.

Akzhol has just left the orphanage. Ensuring his survival through petty theft, he sets out to find his father. He then learns that he has a brother, Dalen, who was lucky enough to be adopted by wealthy parents.

After Adil Denelgenov is fired, his life suddenly changes. Returning home, he finds a package from someone named Alen Smailov. Inside is a short movie, which shows strange frames with human body parts. Upon watching, Adil discovers that these parts are not random images and that he is on his way of solving this mystic message.

Casual acquaintances Kema and Max in the middle of a festive feast retire to the apartment to stay in it forever. They are looking for a way out, but there is none, windows and doors lead to new labyrinths of rooms, and around - only a confined space. Kema and Max see the creepy ghosts of children, only realizing over time that these entities are the same victims of circumstances as they are. Unraveling the mysteries of the past, they try to help the captives in order to save themselves.

Darik, a young man, wastes his life enjoying drinks, women and casinos. Suddenly he gets into the past, in a very strange and dangerous ancient time, surrounded by very strange and particular people.

The young director struggles unsuccessfully to find funding for his debut film. Desperate, he goes to work as a director for a small children's TV project. Once on the set, he realizes that it is possible to make an inexpensive film here. All that is needed is to persuade the group and the actors to help him.

The story of two brothers who, after the death of their father, begin to hunt for robberies. They are noticed by an athletics coach who came from the city to the village to select talented youth. The brothers face difficult trials, and a tragic incident changes their lives. One of them will have to defeat the world champion in the marathon.

Since childhood, Sabina dreamed of becoming a real star, and now, finally, her dream gets a chance to come true. But what price will she have to pay for it?

To do with himself in this world - the eternal question of youth. On the boys and girls wander from lane to lane, from apartment to apartment, get into fights, to the police station. At the same time they read wonderful poetry, listening to beautiful music, and sincere love. They have a delicate taste and a pure soul, but still to do with himself, where?

Having failed to realize herself either in her family or in her career, Asel still decides to go to a meeting of classmates. At the meeting, she is even more overwhelmed by the success of her classmates and the ridicule of Gauhar. After talking with Timur, who has loved Asel since high school, she realizes that many things could have been different. Depressed, she doesn't intend to live like this anymore. And fate gives her a second chance: Asel returns to the past.

1952. The story of aul love between Nurseit and deaf-mute Aigerim. The young man dreams of showing Aigerim to doctors and curing her of her illness. However, the orphan Toganbai is also in love with her. Young people express their feelings through songs and dombra.

Samat is a young and successful entrepreneur who strives for business success. Axel dreams of becoming a famous chef. One day their lives intersect in the mountains, where an accident occurs, and Samat loses his memory. Asel, in order to hide her involvement in the incident, introduces herself as his wife. But what happens if She remembers everything herself?

11-year-old Ilyas loses his parents too soon. Overnight, he and his sisters are sent to an orphanage - where kindness is rare and rules are strict. Growing up fast, facing down bullies, scraping for food, and protecting his sisters like a wolf guards its pack, Ilyas refuses to break. And through it all, he clings to the idea that family isn’t just blood; it’s who stands by you when the world turns its back.

Abylai notices a beautiful painting titled "Dayana's Portrait." He learns that the artist — a talented woman — was murdered shortly after completing the work, and the killer was never found. Troubled by the mystery, Abylai decides to investigate the case himself and uncover the truth behind the painting.

The historical tape is dedicated to the outstanding Kazakh poet, fighter for justice, activist of the liberation movement in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the XIX century Makhambet Utemisov.

Baur, a lonely businessman suffering from phobias, has gone bankrupt and is fleeing persecution in Eastern Kazakhstan. He is faced with a choice: marry the hated daughter of an investor or shoot himself? Suddenly, the whole real tragedy turns into a farce and comedy, and fate breaks his plans. A million dollar contract becomes a salvation for him and a return to lost values — family, love and devotion to the promises made.

Four childhood friends decide to risk "dirty" money. When transferring money, the son of the mafia leader is killed. Who is the killer? The mafia hires a hunter killer who is trying to track down the fugitives and the missing money…

The city of Semey is expecting a visit from the president, and local patrolmen are trying to get into his escort motorcade. But the boss, given their reputation, assigns elite police officers Dima and Renat to this task. Despite this, the guys do not intend to give up and miss the opportunity to accompany the country's top official.

Raymbek is a young football player for whom sport is the meaning of life. He is already recognized as one of the best players in the PFL, supported by his family, coach, and teammates, and experts see his future in the KPL and even the national team. However, his world changes when, during the final match, his parents are involved in an accident. His father dies, and his mother is hospitalized—requiring expensive treatment. Raymbek faces a choice: give up his dream for the sake of his family or try to balance both paths. Along the way, he will encounter challenges and learn what true friendship and first love really mean.

Oscar, a 28-year-old "reveler", lives his life "on credit", without thinking about the future, trading in petty fraud and scams, spending money on girls, drugs and booze. But one day, gangster creditors give him an ultimatum to repay his debts before the end of the day. Now the debtor needs to find a huge amount of money in a few hours to pay off all debts.

The film tells about an elderly resident of the village who lives with the intention of fulfilling his human duty. But, on the way to realizing his dream, the elder faces considerable difficulties and fate presents him with great changes. The main character is overtaken by great trials on the slippery path of life, but wisdom and willpower do not allow him to stop halfway, but on the contrary inspire him even more.

Karim lives with his son in a small dorm room. Their way of life is unsettled, and the world is manly stingy with compliments and emotions. Not everything in their relationship turns out as smoothly as we would like, and the affectionate hand of a woman is not enough in this uninhabited space. But after all, sorrows and problems are forgotten when the father's shoulder is always there, and the son's hand is always in his big palm.

After closing the deal with foreign sponsors Zhomart hopes to get a five stars status to his little hotel but this plan goes south.

An ethnic Russian villager's wife gives birth to a baby that resembles a Kazakh neighbour.

"Ata" is translated from Kazakh as "grandfather". The story of the 80-year-old blind grandfather was filmed in the south of Kazakhstan.

Little Men is about two sympathetic losers with good looks, about groovy tunes and dry slapstick humour.

Masha is in love with good-looking Ram, who recruits girls for parties and rewards them with free drinks and a bonus for simply showing up. Unfortunately, by the time Masha recognises the predatory strategy at work here, it’s already too late.

Six touching stories in the city of dreams, hope and love.

Mels, a middle-aged introvert, works as a surgeon in a provincial town hospital and is one of the best in his field. The gray and boring life of a doctor changes when he meets a mysterious person. She, in his opinion, spiritualized and sublime, in life turns out to be an ordinary girl with her own problems and "skeletons in the closet."

Nineteen-year-old young man Azat moves from the village to Almaty to work as a bricklayer at a construction site in the brigade of his older brother. But his brother is delayed in the mountains on the construction of another object, and Azat is forced to spend several days alone without housing and money in a big city. One event, in which the young man is a direct participant, will determine his fate.

This film is a gratitude to the Kazakh Koreans, Germans, Turks, Chechens, Kurds and other peoples of this land and the Kazakh people, who met them with due attention and sympathy, despite their incredible difficulties after the jute of the 30s. For these peoples, our country has become a real Homeland.

Zhansaya and Moldir are abysynki (Kazakhs call each other wives of their brothers). They live in the same house and get along well with each other. They are united by a common enemy — a tyrant mother-in-law. But when Zhansaya thinks about moving out with her husband to live separately, Moldir develops the same plan. Accidentally hearing that the mother-in-law will release the worst kelin, and keep the good one with her, a battle begins between the girls.

A journalist of the Qazaqstan state television channel has to make a report about the police image campaign.