On the opening day, audiences experienced four films: "We Should Make Movies About Love" (Russia, India, 2022), "Nirvana" (Bangladesh, 2022), "Where the Cranes Dance" (Republic of Sakha, Russia), and "Melody" (Tajikistan and Iran).
At a gathering with the filmmakers, directors and producers shared fascinating stories about their creative processes and revealed the secrets behind their works.
Asif Islam, director of "Nirvana," explained that the film was shot in Bangladesh over two years and stands out for its absence of dialogue.
“Bangladesh is a densely populated country, often filled with noise and verbal clutter. We decided to strip away all dialogue to focus on the inner emotions of the characters. The film draws inspiration from Renaissance artists – we aimed to evoke the essence of a static yet deeply expressive painting on canvas,” said Asif Islam.
Valeria Motorueva, producer of "Where the Cranes Dance," highlighted the film’s success, noting it ranks as the third-highest-grossing film in the Republic of Sakha. It has also been screened at select venues across Russia and international film festivals.
“The film's festival journey continues into next year. The magic of Yakut cinema lies in its authenticity. Here, filmmakers often work with limited budgets, frequently relying on personal funds. A director might be shooting one day, driving the next, and editing the day after. This collaborative spirit makes the films deeply heartfelt,” she shared.
Motorueva also praised composer Moisey Kobyakov’s contributions: “His work is extraordinary. He meticulously crafted the soundtrack, refining the final elements after the visual effects were completed. His music seamlessly enhances the film’s visual intensity.”
Behrouz Sebt Rasul, director of "Melody," provided insight into his poetic film: “Shot in Iran and Tajikistan, it tells the story of a young woman who must create a melody inspired by birdsong. The film has already been submitted as Tajikistan’s official entry for the Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.”
The first day of screenings set an exceptionally high standard for the festival’s further screenings. These films demonstrate how cinema transcends cultural divides, connecting with audiences through the universal language of emotions.
The Eurasia Film Festival continues to affirm that art has the power to bring people together – offering not only the chance to appreciate remarkable works but also to reflect on the world we share.
The festival is founded and traditionally organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the Kazakhfilm Studio named after Shaken Aimanov entrusted with the direct organization of the event, with the support of the Almaty City Akimat.
General partner: BAZIS-A company.
It is noteworthy that sponsors include KAZ Minerals group, Sarens Kazakhstan, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), Salem Entertainment, the Kinopark Theatres cinema chain, Astana Motors, Kazakhtelecom JSC, and A-Event KZ.
Media Partners: "Khabar" JSC, Qazaqstan TV Channel, NTK TV Channel, Europa Plus Kazakhstan, Eldoradio, Qazaq Gazetteri, Egemen Qazaqstan, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Antenna Kazakhstan, New Generation, ORDA, Kazinform International News Agency, Arbat Media, El.kz, Baq.kz, BaigeNews.
