Келін (Kelin)

It took me a while but finally I was able to watch the debut film by Ermek Tursunov who used to be a journalist-screenwriter but after watching this amazing film have to agree that is a master filmmaker in the making as this unique film not only has very innovative storytelling but also looks and feels like a very modern Greek tragedy set in the cold/white Kazakh steppe. What’s really innovative is that film has not even one word and honestly you don’t miss dialogue at all thanks to excellent performances by what I believe are non-actors. Exceptional.

I tend to like films with very little dialogue when images and visual storytelling are compelling; this is the most “almost-perfect” film where filmmakers can learn the amazing powerful value of images and how sometimes words are not only useless but also needless when actors can perform with body language and facial expressions absolutely everything. Please remember that the film is set in the steppes, so actors have clothes up to their noses and still, they had excellent body language communication with each other and with us viewers. Amazing.

Film tells about a woman, Kelin that is ‘sold’ by her father to the richest suitor, who happens not to be the man she’s in-love and loves her back. After a dramatic blood pact with the man she loves, Kelin leaves with her husband to her new home where a mother-in-law and a brother-in-law awaits for them. As she settles in her new home she discovers the pleasure and happiness of married life, but eventually the man she loves comes back and a drama like you have seen many times before with lots of words explodes, but here not even one word is said and you probably will feel everything more than ever before.

Extraordinary cinematography and truly magnificent takes of Gulsharat Zhubyeva who plays Kelin make this movie a visual delight, but is the strong silent drama what really makes this film absolutely out of the ordinary and must be seen for many that appreciate great cinema. It’s a beautiful and powerful movie with a ‘common’ story told silently without a single word.

I strongly suggest that if you haven’t watch it yet, don’t wait any longer and immerse yourself into this unbelievable good cinema wordless experience. The film was Kazakhstan submission to 2010 Oscar and film was one of the nine selected in the short list, which now I believe was an honor highly deserved.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Tulpan

What an unexpected pleasure as this Sergey Dvortsevoy film is a drama that has very gentle comedy, the best is that it made me softly laugh and enjoy a lot more the splendid cinematography, great performances by one actor and many non-actors, and a story that’s refreshing especially from the few films that I have seen that happen in steppes or in the middle of nothing!

Basically tells the story of Asa that after serving in the Russian navy goes back to the steppes and his dream of being a herdsman with his own ranch. To have his dream come true, he has to find a bride and with the help of friends he goes to ask for Tulpan’s hand. But Tulpan doesn’t like Asa, he has way too big ears! Obviously the story is the excuse to show everyday life in the solitude of the Hunger Steppes and you have no idea how desolated Kazakhstan steppes can be; that’s it if you have never seen a film from Mongolia.

Yes most compare this film to other Kazahstan movies that unfortunately haven’t seen, but to me the style (blending reality and fiction), pace, cinematography and story (without the humor) seem similar to Mongolia’s films like The Cave of the Yellow Dog. This comment is only meant as a reference and does not demerit the absolutely well-deserved honors that Tulpan collected since winning the Un Certain Regard award at the 2008 Cannes.

Have to share that everyone talks about one particular scene related to the birth of a sheep. The scene perfectly fits the story, but most of all is like a catharsis to everything that has happened before. Still, be aware that yes it’s a little hard to watch and perhaps is not for the weak of heart.

So if you wish to experience life in a remote and desolated area of the world you have to watch this fantastic movie that will definitively surprise you with the gentle and naïve humor. A must be seen film for everyone that like the word art in their movies.

I waited more than a year to have the opportunity to watch this movie and I had high expectations. The film surpassed my expectations by far as I really enjoyed this drama, comedy, recording of traditions and beautiful scenery; but must of all I absolutely enjoyed the realistic –yet magical- poetry of the visual and narrative storytelling from the debut feature film of a mostly documentary director. Bravo Dvortsevoy!! Hope he does many more movies.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch Trailer @ Movie On Companion.