CINEMA

Pearls of national cinema: retrospectives and long-awaited premieres

"Amangeldy" (dir. Moses Levin, 1938)

The first Kazakh sound film is dedicated to the leader of the national liberation uprising of 1916 - Amangeldy Imanov. A former lone rebel who opposed the tsarist punitive detachments, accepts Soviet power and in 1919 becomes a military commissar. The film was restored at the Kazakhfilm studio in 1966.

"Ainalaiyn" (dir. Bolat Kalymbetov, 1990)

The social drama of a generation is told through the fate of two young people in love. The devastating consequences of the explosion at the now empty nuclear test site do not go unnoticed in the formation of the character and his descendants.

"Trizna" (dir. Bulat Mansurov, 1972)

The film is based on the poem "Kulager" by Ilyas Dzhansugurov. The poet Akan Seri arrives on his horse Kulager at the memorial service in honor of Bay Sagynay. Traditionally, races are held on this day. Victory in the competition gives the right to demand from the heirs of the bay the fulfillment of any wish. Akan, who dreams of freeing the rebels sentenced to death, puts his adopted son on Kulager...

"The Ballad of Manshuk" (dir. Mazhit Begalin, 1969)

A film about the feat of the Hero of the Soviet Union – Manshuk Mametova. The film shows one day in the combat life of Manshuk and her comrades, who accepted an unequal battle with German tanks.

"Botagoz" (dir. Efim Aron, 1957)

Based on the novel of the same name by the writer Sabit Mukanov. The film takes place in 1913-1917. From a young age, Botagoz faced difficult trials. She rejected the advances of the volost headman, the old man Itbay, and brought persecution upon her entire family. Cursed by her relatives, the girl left the village and began working in a quarry. Hard work under the scorching rays of the sun did not break Botagoz's will. The girl continued to dream of happiness and justice, she hoped to meet her beloved, teacher Askar, who was arrested for revolutionary propaganda. Years passed. A wave of revolutionary movement was spreading in Kazakhstan. Botagoz joined the ranks of those who decided to win the right to happiness with their own hands. Amantay, Botagoz's uncle, who had previously lost faith in people and justice, also chose the path of fighting the bais who oppressed the people under the influence of the political exile Grigory Kuznetsov. Soviet power has been established in Kazakhstan. The heroes of the film met again - now the red commander Amantay, the commissar Askar and his girlfriend - the courageous and brave Botagoz. And they all continue to fight against the remnants of the counter-revolution.

"Kyz Zhibek" (dir. Sultan-Akhmet Khodzhikov, 1970)

The film was awarded the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR for 1972. The plot is based on the folk lyrical-epic poem "Kyz Zhibek". The legend describes the period of confrontation between Kazakh clans in the XVI-XVII centuries. The love story of the brave warrior Tolegen and the beautiful Zhibek ends tragically. Tolegen, who fought for Zhibek's hand and heart, was treacherously killed.

"Sultan Beybarys" (dir. Bolat Mansurov, 1989)

Filmed based on the novel "Emshan" by Maurice Semashko. A historical drama about the fate of a Kipchak boy who was taken into slavery in Egypt in ancient times. Having fully tasted the taste of power, love, and longing, at the end of his eventful life, he returns to the historical homeland of his ancestors - the wormwood steppes of Kazakhstan.

"My Name is Kozha" (dir. Abdulla Karsakbaev, 1963)

The main character Kozha is a smart, mischievous boy who grew up without a father. He loves to explore and learn new things. Kozha cannot sit still and gets into various troubles throughout the film. He is almost expelled from school. At the same time, the hero never loses heart and is ready to help everyone. The film is based on the story "My Name is Kozha" by Berdybek Sokpakbaev.

"Shot on the Karash Pass" (dir. Bolot Shamshiev, 1968)

Film adaptation of the story by the classic of Kazakh literature Mukhtar Auezov. A resident of a high-mountain village, the poor man Bakhtygul, faithfully serves the rich Zharasbay, who uses him in his intrigues. Bakhtygul steals the herds of Bay Sarsen, with whom Zharasbay is at odds. Due to intrigues and betrayal, the main character ends up in prison, from where he soon escapes and returns to his native places to take revenge and deal with his offender. The film is a joint production of two studios – "Kirgizfilm" and "Kazakhfilm".

"Keep Your Star" (dir. Sharip Beisembayev, 1975)

The film is based on the story "Gauhartas" by Dulat Isabekov. In 1975, while serving in the army, the writer heard the song of the same name performed by Bibigul Tulegenova. This song later inspired him to write the work. 

Saltanat, a kind and affectionate wife of the eldest son Tastan, enters the family of an old shepherd. With her arrival, the way of life of the family changes, Saltanat brings love, song and joy to the house. However, Tastan himself, a zealous follower of the laws of the patriarchal family, who hates everything new, is cold towards his wife. Inability to express feelings and strict upbringing lead to tragedy.

"Secrets of the Queen of Pirates" / "Secrets of Madame Wong" (dir. Stepan Puchinyan, 1985)

An adventure film about the machinations of modern pirates in Southeast Asia. It would seem that the days of the filibusters who once plied the seas and oceans under black flags are long gone. It is hard to believe that in the modern, civilized world there can be sea robbers. And yet, they exist. The Soviet motor ship "Ivan Bunin", chartered by a foreign tourist company, is making another voyage in the Indian Ocean on the Sydney-Hong Kong route. Among the passengers are the head of a large pirate syndicate and her henchmen. The elusive Madame Wong.

The film starred the famous Soviet boxer and Olympic medalist Serik Konakbaev.

"Chase in the Steppe" (dir. Abdulla Karsakbaev, 1979)

The events of the dynamic, action-packed film take place in the 20s. The main character of the film is the red commander Khamit, a man of unrestrained courage, courageous and dedicated to his work. His opponent is the cunning, insidious and elusive ataman Kudre. While tracking down his gang, Khamit himself falls into a trap at some point and becomes a prisoner of the ataman. However, in the end, he manages to get on Kudre's trail and defeat the gang.

"Salty River of Childhood" (dir: Abdulla Karsakbaev, 1983)

1943. Deep rear. Cargoes necessary for the rear and the front are transported across the Syr Darya River. The cargo was transported on caicas - light boats. This work was carried out by the heroes of the film - the old man Zeinolla and adolescents impoverished by the war - Dariga, Mukhtar and Amir. When the old man died, the teenagers were left alone with the harsh and capricious river.

"Anxious Morning" (dir. Abdulla Karsakbaev, 1966)

The film tells about the events of 1918 in the border regions of Kazakhstan, about the fate of Commissar Tokhtar Baitenov, who heads a small detachment of Chekists.

The new version of the film was prepared in 1983.

"Six-year-old Alpamys" (dir. Abdulla Karsakbaev, 1977)

Little Alpamys and Kalikhan are children of the same village, they are friends. When Kalikhan turns seven, he goes to school when the new school year begins, and six-year-old Alpamys is left behind. He is very interested in his friend's studies and his only dream is to go to school. He comes to the school window, watches the teacher's actions and tries to understand the lesson. But his friend Kalikhan does not have much enthusiasm for the lesson. However, he emphasizes his friend's ingenuity and helps him go to school. The wish of the two friends is granted and six-year-old Alpamys is accepted into the 1st grade.

"Zhansebil" feature film ("Dokhodyaga", dir: Ayagan Shazhimbay, 1991)

There is probably no greater torment in this false world than longing to see your homeland. The film was shot in 1991 based on the story "Zhansebil" by Zhusupbek Korgasbek. The work depicts the life of two old people who have experienced the war and Stalinist persecution, but have not lost hope for the good.

"Life Description of a Young Accordionist" (dir. Satybaldy Narymbetov, 1994)

The story of a young accordionist who, against his will, finds himself in a difficult life situation. The boy's experiences: charm and disappointment, first love and the collision of a young creature with harsh reality. The setting is a post-war mining village in southern Kazakhstan, where adults live their difficult lives. The father of the young hero paid with two years in prison for inviting hungry Japanese prisoners of war to visit. But despite the grief and constant fights, little Yeskin has one wonderful advantage he knows how to play the accordion.

"Zaman-ai" (dir. Bolat Sharip, 1997)

The film is based on the novel "Mountain Paths" by Saken Zhunusov.

A grandmother leads her grandson from China to Kazakhstan along mountain paths, where she, the daughter of an aul bay, who was killed by the Red Army, ended up back in the era of collectivization (30s) along with other Kazakh migrants. On the way, she feels bad, and so as not to be a burden to her grandson, she throws herself into the abyss, and the boy must reach his homeland.

Trans-Siberian Express" (dir. Eldor Urazbayev, 1977)

The adventure film recreates the events of 1927, when Soviet Chekists, thwarting the insidious plans of foreign intelligence, prevented the assassination of a major Japanese entrepreneur Saito, who was traveling on the Trans-Siberian Express to Moscow with the intention of starting trade negotiations with Soviet Russia. The operation was led and carried out by an experienced Soviet intelligence officer, Omar Kasymkhanov, who lived in Harbin under the guise of a Chinese citizen, Fan Yu-Chun, a merchant and artist.

The second film in the trilogy about the intelligence officer Chadyarov, which began with the film "The End of the Ataman", the next film is "The Manchurian Version".

"Sweet Juice Inside the Grass" (dir. Aman Alpiev, with the participation of Sergei Bodrov Sr., 1984)

The main character, fourteen-year-old Syurik, experiences the feeling of first unrequited love for a boy named Marat. After the holidays, a new girl, Natasha, appeared in the class on September 1. And from that day on, Syurik's suffering begins.

The authors of the film follow with interest how the moral credo of a small person is formed, how the discovery of people and the laws of life takes place, how the first love, the first betrayal burns the heart of a teenager.

"The Girl-Jigit" (dir. Pavel Bogolyubov, 1955)

The young collective farm horse breeder Aidar and the senior horse breeder of the horse farm Galia have long loved each other. It so happens that a quarrel arises between young people due to a misunderstanding. This circumstance is trying to use the store manager Angarbay, who would not mind becoming Galia's groom. Aidar dreams of starting thoroughbred horses in his collective farm. But the chairman of the collective farm, his father, refuses to allocate funds. In an effort to convince the unaccommodating papa that the collective farm horses are really bad, Aidar decides to give Galia the lead in the races. The girl, in turn, holds the horse to give her lover the opportunity to distinguish himself and, in the old way, receive a kiss from him as a reward. But the girl's efforts are in vain. Aidar still comes last. Aidar's defeat forces his father to shell out money for the purchase of breeding horses. However, the young horse breeder loses the favor of his beloved girl for a long time. After a series of accidents, the misunderstanding between the lovers is resolved. The film ends with a cheerful wedding celebration.

Restored at the Kazakhfilm studio in 1971.

"Lyuty" (dir. Tolomush Okeev, 1973)

Based on the story of Mukhtar Auezov "Gray-Lyuty".

The events of the picture unfold in pre-revolutionary times. The boy Kurmash lost his parents early. The shepherd Akhangul, his uncle, consciously and purposefully raises Kurmash in the spirit of the most real wolf philosophy: "in life, the one who is stronger, angrier and more ruthless than others wins." He himself has had a lot of grief in his life and no longer believes in the power of good, he worships only evil. He prevents the boy from raising a tame wolf cub, Lyuty. One day, Akhangul almost killed Lyuty for the fact that other wolves had cut a lot of sheep from the stolen flock. Kurmash releases his pet to freedom and runs away from his uncle's house himself. The hunter Hasen, a convict hiding in the steppe from the tsarist search engines, finds the boy. In his house, Kurmash finds spiritual comfort, affection, compassion and love. But soon he returns, having felt sorry for his lonely, persecuted uncle, in whose soul doubts about the omnipotence of evil appear for the first time in his life. And Lyuty, having become the leader of a wolf pack, organizes real robberies in the district. Seeing his pupil in the koshara one day, Kurmash wants to put a collar on him and the wolf attacks the boy. The seeds of evil sown by Akhangul have given their ominous shoots.

"Raikhan" (dir. Moses Levin, Sergei Bartenev, 1940) 

About the emancipation of Kazakh women under Soviet rule. The October Revolution liberated the Kazakh people from the oppression of the feudal lords. But in the remote mountains, the Bai power is still in place. In the Bala-Shakpak region, Bai Zhaksen is in charge. In payment of the debt, he decides to take the daughter of a poor widow, Raikhan, as his wife. On the very first wedding night, the girl runs away from the bay she hates. With the help of the Russian communist Andrei, she goes to the city to study. Years pass... Raikhan returns to her native village as a zootechnician. With great difficulty, the girl manages to convince the horse breeders to follow a new method of growing young horses. Gradually, Raikhan's authority grows stronger. Meanwhile, Bai Zheksen, who escaped from prison, reappears in the village. He sets fire to the grass in the mountain pastures to scare away the collective farm horses. During the search for the herd, Raikhan meets Zheksen. The girl is in danger of death. However, the horse breeders who arrived in time rescue Raikhan.

"Golden Horn" (dir. Efim Aron, 1948)

About the work of Soviet animal scientists. High in the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau is the experimental station of the Kazakh Institute of Animal Husbandry. The head of the station, a young scientist Zhakan Dosanov, is working on breeding a new breed of sheep, which should have the soft wool of a merino sheep and the endurance of a mountain ram-arkhar, whose steep "golden" horn serves Zhakan as a symbol of future abundance. As a result of a difficult and dangerous hunt in the mountains, Dosanov manages to catch an arkhar. The five merino queens fertilized by the arkhar become the subject of constant care and attention of the young scientist and his assistant Saule. In his work, Dosanov has to overcome the obstacles created by the conservative leadership of the institute. The harsh natural conditions of the high-altitude plateau where the experimental station is located lead to the death of four queens. But the fifth gives birth to a lamb of a new breed - arkharomerinos. It seemed that the experiment was brilliantly successful. But the lamb, who ran away from the pen, falls under the hunter's shot in the mountains. Thus disappears the only proof of the correctness of the scientific predictions of the young scientist. But Dosanov does not give up. He again undertakes to repeat his experiment, and this time, on an immeasurably larger scale. A few years later, a flock of arkharomerinos bred by a scientist, falling into a severe snowstorm in the mountains, withstands the harsh test with honor.

"Zhambyl" (dir. Efim Dzigan, 1952)

70s of the XIX century, the Kazakh steppe. In the vast plain, the young poet Zhambyl of an unhappy people is wandering. The famous poet Suyinbay, on his deathbed, hands over his dombra to Zhambyl. No flattery, no gold, no persecution can force the people's poet to lie. The Tsarist government imprisons him to silence the poet's free voice. In prison, the poet meets a Russian soldier, a Bolshevik Vasily. After this meeting, he is convinced that the goals of ordinary people in Russia and the working people of Kazakhstan are the same. Years pass. The poet is getting old. The rich confiscate the dombra inherited from the famous poet Suyinbay. The sound of Zhambyl's songs fades away. The news about the October Revolution gives Zhambyl a new strength. He regains his passion for creativity. Suyinbay's dombra returns to Zhambyl. Zhambyl sings about the happiness of a people who have seen the light of a new life. Zhambyl goes to Moscow. Zhambyl admires the beautiful sights of the capital and writes songs about it. The difficult days of the Great Patriotic War begin, Zhambyl sends his son to the front. He calls on his fellow countrymen to strike the enemy who attacked the Great Motherland. In besieged Leningrad, Zhambyl's famous song "Leningradtyk orenim..." can be heard. Together with his people, the poet meets the "Victory Day" on the street. In his hands, the same dombra sings again

"Poem of Love" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, Karl Gakkel, 1954)

The film is based on a folk legend telling about the love of a poor hunter and the daughter of a bai. Karabay is rich and noble. But he has no peace. The grooms of the only daughter of the beautiful Bayan, who was born in the same year as the young man Kozy, are encroaching on his herds of horses. Once their mothers swore to marry their children when they grow up. 17 years have passed. Kozy's father died, and his family became impoverished. The grooms arrive in Bayan's village - the arrogant Kodar and the dandy Aidar. They demand that Bayan make a choice. The girl refuses, because she loves the beautiful, but poor young man Kozy Korpesh. Karabay refuses to bless Bayan's marriage with a poor man. Kodar continues to pursue the girl. During a meeting between Kozy and Bayan, Kodar kills the young man. Bayan's grief is inconsolable. She doesn't want to live anymore and commits suicide on the grave of her beloved.

"Daughter of the Steppes" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, K. Gakkel, 1954)

About the fate of a simple Kazakh woman who has gone from a farm laborer to a researcher. The first years of Soviet power. The rich man Aktanbai decides to steal his herds abroad. However, only the shepherd Malbagar knows the secret paths in the mountains. Therefore, Aktanbai, giving the orphan girl Nurzhamal to Malbagar as his wife, demands in return to show the way through the mountains. On the way to the border, Malbagar, heeding the requests of Nurzhamal, who did not want to be his wife, helps the girl escape from Aktanbai's camp. Years pass. Nurzhamal, after graduating from medical school, returns to her native village. Here, along with medical activities, she works on the problem of using the healing properties of some herbs. 1941 is coming. News comes of the treacherous attack by the Hitlerite hordes. Nurzhamal goes to the active army, where she widely uses the drug she discovered to treat wounds. The difficult years of the war pass. In the auditorium of the medical institute, where Nurzhamal first came many years ago, she lectures to students from the professorial chair.

"We Live Here" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, Matvey Volodarsky, 1956)

1954. At the invitation of the Central Committee of the Party, a group of young people come to the remote steppes of Kazakhstan. The old forester Bulanbai warns the Komsomol members that "This place has never seen people, it is a wild place that does not know the plow!" But the virgin land developers are not afraid of difficulties, they start their work. The struggle has to be waged not only with the harsh nature, but also with the impracticality of Kuanych Korkytov, the director of the state farm trust. Despite his instructions, Kudryash, the head of the Komsomolsky state farm, chooses to develop difficult, but very promising land plots. In this difficult struggle, the collective of young virgin land developers is strengthened. In the fight between the trust management and Kudryash, the regional committee secretary Beisov supports Kudryash. Korkytov is defeated everywhere. He is dismissed from his post. His ex-wife refuses to return to him - she loves Safarov, the secretary of the state farm party organization. Even his parents blame their son. Soon, a new group of young virgin land developers arrived at the Komsomolsky state farm

"Botagoz" feature film (dir. Efim Aron, 1957)

Based on the novel by Sabit Mukanov. The events in the film take place between 1913 and 1917. From a young age, Botakoz's life was full of difficulties. Opposing the aspirations of the volost chief, the old Itbay, she was persecuted by all her relatives. Cursed by her relatives, Botakoz leaves the village and gets a job in a stone-cutting place. There, Botakoz dreams of happiness and justice, hoping to meet her lover, teacher Askar, who was accused of spreading revolutionary propaganda. Years pass. Revolutionary movements are increasing in Kazakhstan. Botakoz joins the ranks of revolutionaries. Amantai, Botagoz's brother, who had previously lost faith in people and justice, joins the ranks of revolutionaries under the influence of the political exile Kuznetsov. Soviet power was established in Kazakhstan. The film's characters - the red commander Amantai, the commissar Askar and his girlfriend Botakoz met again. Together, they continued their struggle with the remnants of the counter-revolution.

"Our Dear Doctor" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, 1957)

Dr. Lavrov has been the chief physician in one of the sanatoriums of Kazakhstan for many years. There is nothing remarkable about it. But this is only the first impression. Everyone who has ever rested and been treated in the sanatorium will forever remember this modest, big-hearted man. What happened on the doctor's sixtieth birthday? The secretary of the sanatorium director Ksenia Pavlovna and the cultural worker Bibigul decide to organize a concert in honor of the hero of the day. However, the director of the sanatorium Filkin refuses to give them the necessary amount of money. Then Bibigul, despite Filkin's assurances that nothing will come of this venture, goes to the artists with a request to perform in a free concert. The cultural worker is helped in organizing the concert by the vacationing artist Murat and his friend, the young singer Taken. During the day, Bibigul, Murat and Taken visit famous artists of Alma-Ata. Everyone agrees to perform in a free concert, but... not today. The upset organizers of the anniversary barely manage to return to the sanatorium by the appointed hour. Here they meet all the artists they visited during the day. It turns out that there was a misunderstanding. When inviting the artists, the organizers unnecessarily hid the doctor's name. In turn, none of the artists said that each of them was preparing specifically for the performance in honor of the hero of the day.

"In One District" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, Igor Savvin, 1960)

For many years, Sabyr Bayanov led the Algabas district. He put a lot of effort, energy and a warm soul into creating a large livestock district, and deservedly earned authority and respect. But lately Sabyr Bayanov has lost the feeling of the new, he tried to live and lead in the old way. However, looking at life, meeting interesting people - simple workers, he realizes that he was wrong.

"The Song Calls" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, 1961)

The film focuses on the fate of a young girl Aigul. She works well in collective farm fields, acts as a leader of young people, and dreams of creating her own folk theater in her native collective farm. The famous singer Dosai Nurlanov mistakenly gets into the "Singing village" (this is the jocular name of the collective farm) and witnesses the growing culture of the village. This inspires him to become the head of the folk theater.

"Crossroads" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, 1963)

Doctor Galia Ismailova works on duty as an ambulance. One day she receives an urgent call. But she can't leave because there is no car. She turns to the driver whose car has broken down for repairs. The doctor and the driver, realizing the need to save the life of a person who had an accident, leave in a faulty car. The ambulance rushes through the streets of a crowded city. At one of the intersections, a drunken man suddenly appears in its path. The driver tries to brake, but the brakes fail. The drunk is not saved, blocks the way for the car and falls under it. The driver Medvedev is brought to trial. Galia's beloved Iskander judges. A conflict arises between Galia and Iskander. She believes that Iskander went against his conscience by condemning an honest man who only risked his life to save a human life. And Iskander proves that he acted according to the law and Medvedev's criminal guilt lies in the fact that he drove in a faulty car.

"Aldar-Kose" ("Beardless Deceiver" (dir: Shaken Aimanov, 1964)

He was called Aldar Kose, this was his nickname. Aldar means deceiver, Kose means beardless. No one knew his real name, whether such a person existed or not. But no matter what village you go to, his name is always on everyone's lips. The bottom line of each story is that although he was poor, he was kind, helped the poor and needy, and fought against the injustice of the bais-manaps who exploited the people.

"Atameken" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, 1966)

A year after the end of the war, an old man takes his grandson and sets off to bring the body of his son who died in Leningrad to his homeland. However, after learning that he was buried at the grave together with his son's fellow soldiers, he does not want to disturb the body. The director of the film "Atameken" was one of the founders of the Kazakhfilm film studio. The years when he was the head were preserved in history under the name "golden time". Playing chess during breaks between filming and changing scripts was only possible for Shaken Aimanov. It was also Sh. Aimanov who wonderfully danced the boogie-woogie with Elizabeth Taylor, who was named "Queen of Hollywood" at the first World Film Festival held in Moscow, and won the Grand Prix. Sh. Aimanov directed a film that is included in the top ten films of the Kazakhfilm film studio and became the director's second box-office work. Another of his films, "The End of the Ataman", became a highly-rated film and became the favorite film of 30.6 million viewers. This was a film that broke all records from 1955 to 1990. The film "Atameken" was shot in collaboration with Olzhas Suleimenov and the writer served as the scriptwriter. Interestingly, the image of the land is often found in most of the poet's works.

"The Angel in a Skullcap" (dir. Shaken Aimanov, 1968)

Tana-apa, who is worried about the bachelor life of her youngest son, whom she affectionately calls "Angel in a Skullcap", begins to look for a bride for her son. Her 28-year-old son Tailak is a geography teacher, his mother's darling, a man with a heroic figure and a beautiful character. While looking for a bride for her son, Tana-apa meets the family of Niyaz aksakal. And his son Tailak, although he met a beautiful girl named Aisha and made friends, his mother does not approve of his choice. It turns out that Aisha's father, Tair, once proposed to Tana-apa and did not keep his promise. Even after years, Tana-apa, offended by Tair, expresses her disapproval of her son's marriage to her beloved and continues to look for a bride. Altynshash, who dreams of becoming Tailak's bride, works as a beer seller. She makes all sorts of tricks in order to attract the "angel" to herself and strives to become a bride. However, Tailak, who did not give a positive answer to her intentions, marries his beloved Aisha. The old man Niyaz makes an offer to Tana-apa, saying "let's be two halves one whole". The film ends with two magnificent weddings. During the film, in addition to seeing the city of Almaty in the 60s, the life of the youth of that time, you can also listen to Alexander Zatsepin's song "Where are you going, Odyssey?!" and a number of songs performed by Ermek Serkebaev.

"The End of the Ataman", (dir: Sh. Aimanov, 1970)

The adventure film is based on genuine historical events that took place in Kazakhstan in 1920. The Dzharkent Cheka developed an operation to eliminate the gangs of the White Guard Ataman Dutov. Its implementation was entrusted to the Chekist Chadyarov, who penetrated the headquarters of the Ataman, gained trust and, risking his life, completed the task.

"Balcony" (dir. Kalybek Salykov, 1988)

The film colorfully recreates Alma-Ata in the early 50s. Through the life story of a teenager, the biography of the young generation of the 50s shines through. Having experienced orphanhood, defending in his own way the right to be a person, Aidar faces cruelty and indifference, conformism and cowardice, generated by the cult of personality, as well as the nobility and kindness of the people around him.

"Cardiogram" (dir. Darezhan Omirbaev, 1995)

This is an artistic study of the psychology of the child's soul, the process of adapting a child in an unfamiliar and unusual environment for him. The main character is a village boy who gets into a children's sanatorium and finds himself alone for the first time, without parents. He does not speak Russian, and the children in the sanatorium, mostly urban, do not know the Kazakh language. In the life of a small hero, various collisions occur, sometimes sad, sometimes funny.

"Zaman-ai" (dir. Bolat Sharip, 1997)

The film is based on the novel "Mountain Paths" by Saken Zhunusov. A grandmother leads her grandson from China to Kazakhstan along mountain paths, where she, the daughter of an aul bay, who was killed by the Red Army, ended up back in the era of collectivization (30s) along with other Kazakh migrants. On the way, she feels bad, and so as not to be a burden to her grandson, she throws herself into the abyss, and the boy must reach his homeland.