In 1945, in the year of the centenary of Abai, Mukhtar Auezov wrote the script of the “Songs of Abai” feature film, recreating the individual episodes from the life of an outstanding educator of the 19th century, the classic of Kazakh literature Abai Kunanbaiuly. A famous Kazakh poet was getting closer to the Russian exile, scientist Nifont Dolgopolov. Under the influence of their growing friendship, Abai’s educational ideals had been formed. But the poet was not yet free from the power of an old patriarchal way of life. However, when the circumstances required it, he had acted as a genuine fighter.

In the center of the film’s plot: The best student of a great poet Abai was young Aidar, who violated the laws of his ancestors by stealing a young widow, a beautiful Azhar, from the foreign village. Abai, declaring himself Aidar’s intercessor, assumed the responsibility and undertook to appear at the court of elders as a defendant. If the court had sentenced Aidar to death, then Abai would have been died. With the fervor and conviction, Abai proved to the elder people that his disciple, having violated the “law” of his ancestors for the sake of love, did not commit a crime. His deep faith in justice and bright ideals helped him to overcome the ancestral prejudices. Abai was surrounded by the love of the people, but he had many enemies as well. A local rich landowner (bai) Yerden and a fanatical poet Sharip were trying to put Abai to the odds with the people. When these attempts failed, Sharip was killing Aidar. But no amount of intrigue could break Abai’s willpower. A great humanist foresaw a coming storm that would bring happiness to the ordinary people.

Production: Alma-Ata Film Studio of feature and Chronicle films

Director: Grigoriy Roshal, Yefim Aron

Authors of script: Mukhtar Auezov, Grigoriy Roshal

Operator: Galina Pyshkova

Artist: Kulakhmet Khodzhikov

Composer: Latif Khamidi

Sound engineer: K. Gordon

The cast: Kalibek Kuanyshpayev, Kapan Badyrov, Serke Kozhamkulov, Yelubai Omirzakov, Shaken Aimanov, Zh. Oguzbayev, Rahiya Koichubayeva, Seifolla Telgarayev, Kamal Karmysov, Shara Zhandarbekova, Z. Tatzhedinova, Mantai Syzdykov, Amina Yerguzhinova.

The film is available at the link: https://youtu.be/Qz_6oMg0lOw?si=c09HyhorQd4i_P0E