Bauryna Salu filmmaker Askhat Kuchinchirekov was puzzled by the absence of a familiar Kazakh experience on the silver screen. This led him to take matters into his own hands and embark on a remarkable journey.

Unveiling the Kazakh Tradition through Film

Introduction to the Kazakh Tradition

Now competing for a best international feature film nomination at the 97th Academy Awards, Kuchinchirekov's directorial debut chronicles the life of 12-year-old Yersultan. Raised by his grandmother in accordance with the ancient Kazakh tradition of Bauryna Salu, Yersultan helps maintain their dilapidated cottage and engages in manual labor. His quiet ailing guardian means a lot to him, and he saves to visit his estranged family. However, life takes a turn when his grandmother passes away, and his reunion with his family is far from what he imagined.This tradition is common among Kazakh families, and Kuchinchirekov has been curious about its absence in Kazakh culture. Through his film, he aims to reflect his own experiences.

The Blurring of Narrative and Documentary

The drama blurs the lines between a narrative feature and a documentary. The intimate handheld camerawork and the purposeful omission of a musical score add to the authenticity. Kuchinchirekov wanted to create a world that people from all over could relate to and see the rural life in Kazakhstan. The visual style is as close to a documentary as possible to help people understand the tradition.As a viewer, one often feels like an observer in each scene. This is especially evident when Yersultan struggles to adapt to life on his original family's farm. His lack of school education intensifies his difficulties, as seen in a fight in his new classroom where he accidentally bumps into the camera operator. This moment is intentionally preserved to enhance the reality of the picture.

The Power of Realism in Acting

Kuchinchirekov's pursuit of verisimilitude extends to the characters' names, mostly based on the first-time actors. Yersultan Yerman's performance as Yersultan is remarkable. He rehearsed for two weeks to nail a heartbreaking sequence where he learns of his grandmother's fate and has an emotional breakdown. His impactful turn is bookended by two highly emotional scenes.In another scene, Yerman confronts his father for giving him up and treating him coldly. Inspired by a Rembrandt painting, this scene showcases the depth of his acting.

Presenting the Pros and Cons

Ultimately, Kuchinchirekov presents the pros and cons of the Kazakh tradition, leaving the viewer to draw their own conclusions. Dias Feld, who joined the project late, was moved by an early cut and became a producer to help the film gain recognition.This edition of THR Presents is brought to you by Dada Films, highlighting the significance of this Kazakh story.