Aizhan Kassymbek | Kazakhstan, Pakistan, India | 2023 | 73 Mins | Kazakh
Fri, Nov 8 | 12:30 PM | Hermann Gmeiner Hall
In the harsh winter of Kazakhstan, Madina, a single mother, dancer and breadwinner, struggles to take care of her old grandmother, her withdrawn younger brother, and a two-year-old daughter. As she fights for alimony and battles the pressure to give in to the demands of a wealthy admirer, her brother shares a harsh and shocking revelation about his childhood. Madina discovers within her the resilience and courage to tell the truth while seeking justice for her brother.
Aizhan Kassymbek
Aizhan Kassymbek is a Kazakhstani director who graduated from the Asian Film Academy in 2019. Her debut short film, SU, won the Grand Prix at Hanoi’s Festival, while AUA screened at global festivals. Her debut feature, Fire, premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2021. It screened at over 30 festivals and received 16 awards. Aizhan empowers women in film, evident in her all-woman crew debut. She aims to bolster Kazakhstani female filmmakers.
Producer : Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi
Cinematographer : Aigul Nurbulatova
Editor : Aidan Sydykbek
Sound : Ilya Gariev
Music : Robert Ziganshin
Cast : Madina Akylbekova, Alibek Adiken, Nesibeli Serikbayeva and Amira Akylbek
Tokyo International Film Festival 2023
GoEast Film Festival 2024
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2024 – Best Performance and Special Jury Recognition
Amur Autumn International Film Festival 2024 – Best Performance
