A closed screening of the Kazakh film "Mugalim" was held in Almaty. The event brought together the film's creative team, representatives of the domestic film industry, cultural figures, journalists, and bloggers.
On September 20, the film's world premiere took place in the New Directors competition section of the 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival, one of the oldest international Category A film festivals. "Mugalim" became the first film by a Kazakh female director to be included in the festival's competition program.
The film marks Ayana Nurdinova's feature-length directorial debut. The plot centers on Zhandos, a music teacher from Balkhash who loves his job and his students but dreams of dedicating his life to art. When the opportunity to move to the big city presents itself, he faces a difficult choice between his dream and the people who have become an important part of his life.
Filming took place in Balkhash. The film stars Olzhas Dälelkhan, Rustem Zhanyamanov, Shynar Zhanysbekova, Olga Landina, Gulnar Dusmatova, and other actors. The producer was Aruzhan Dosymkozha, and the director of photography was Aigul Nurbulatova.
The film was produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State Center for National Cinema Support.
"Mugalim" opens in cinemas across Kazakhstan today.