Kyrgyz Films Showcased on UK Streaming Platform

Rarely screened gems light up our autumn programme KLASSIKI: Bringing magical online experiences to audiences wherever you are

Kino Klassika Foundation presents KLASSIKI, an online weekly curated film season spotlighting the best of Russian, Caucasian and Central Asian cinema. Kino Klassika is the only organisation in the world dedicated to spotlighting cinema from the region. By giving audiences access to unseen gems as well as the opportunity to meet and chat with directors and filmmakers from Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Kino Klassika have become a trusted, credible and essential part of the UK’s specialist film exhibition sector.

Following on from our successful film season TASHKENT FILM ENCOUNTERS that spotlighted classic cinema from Central Asia, Kino Klassika is delighted to screen another film from Aktan Arym Kubat. Representing the first wave of independently produced Kyrgyzstan cinema after independence from Soviet Union, Beshkempir (1998) stars the director’s son, Mirlan Abdykalykov, in the lead role, and is an exquisit coming of age story. Shot in gorgeous black and white and exploding into occasional bursts of color. Beshkempir is a rare poetic treat. Beshkempir screens from 12pm BST, Tuesday 3rd November until 12pm BST, Tuesday 10rd November. Available to view at www.kinoklassikafoundation.org

We follow the screening of Beshkempir with Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Running to the Sky (2019). This “elegant slice of Kyrgyz life” is the sophmore feature from the contemporary Kyrgyz director and recently enjoyed a strong festival run. Running to the Sky screens from 12pm BST, Tuesday 10th November until 12pm BST, Tuesday 17th November. Available to view at www.kinoklassikafoundation.org

In addition, Autumn programming highlights include a double bill of Bauer’s 1916 masterpiece A Life for a Life with a newly comissioned score, followed by Nikita Mikhalkov’s rarely screened classic Slave of Love (1976), rare Soviet animations from Andrei Khryzhanovsky, Sergei Parajanov’s Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965) and a Christmas screening of cult science fiction favourite Kin Dza Dza (1986). The highly curated selection of films is director led, with each week’s choice introducing UK audiences to an important filmmaker’s work. KLASSIKI ranges from early silent cinema, to masterpieces of animation, from post-war classics to contemporary Cannes winners. To supplement the film experience, KLASSIKI offers specially commissioned and downloadable programme notes as well as podcasts and filmed introductions which give biographical, social and political context to each film. 

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Mirlan Abdykalykov in Selkinchek made by Aktan Arym Kubat