NUR-SULTAN – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which presents the Golden Globe Awards, recently published its long list in the Foreign Language Film category, reported Kazinform. The list includes three Kazakh films – “Tomiris” by Akan Satayev, “Shyraqshy” (Guardian of the Light) by Yermek Tursunov and “The Secret of a Leader” by Farkhat Sharipov.
Photo credit: brod.kz.
“This year, 96 Foreign Language Films (from 65 countries) were eligible for Golden Globe consideration. That made for an intense viewing schedule… as well as for one of the greatest privileges of the year,” according to the HFPA website.
To qualify for the award, a film must be a drama, musical or comedy with at least a 51 percent non-English language dialogue track. A film for the upcoming award must have been released in its production nation from Oct.1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.
HFPA will announce the short list in the category Dec. 9. The 77th annual ceremony will be held Jan. 5 in Los Angeles, California.
“Tomiris” recounts the story of the sixth century BC Saki queen of the same name. She united Saki tribes against Persian invasion, then defeated and killed Persian king Cyrus the Great. The film, a story of bloodshed, deceit and revenge, had earned 480 million tenge (US$1.2 million) by the end of October and was screened more than 800 times throughout Kazakhstan.
“Shyraqshy,” also known as the “Keeper,” tells a story of a soldier who returns home from World War II with an old film projector. It was the gift of an old German man whom he rescued and the soldier always kept it. The world premiere was held at the Shanghai International Film Festival and the movie will open in Kazakhstan early next year. Lead actor Muratzhan Mukazhanov received a Special Diploma “For creating a poetic image of the cinema art attendant” awarded by the Venice Film Festival grand jury. Cameraperson Martin Sechanov received the Knyazhinski Prize for best camera work at Russia’s Kinoshok Film Festival.
The existential drama “The Secret of a Leader” follows 40-year-old bank clerk Kanat. His midlife crisis hit him hard and he realises he has no dreams and cannot achieve anything in life. He opts to attend a personal growth training where he learns how to become successful, but the real change comes when he meets his old friend Daniyar. The film was the first in Kazakh cinema history to receive a grand prix at the 41st Moscow International Film Festival and was also awarded a grand prix at the XV Eurasia International Film Festival.
“Shyraqshy” and “The Secret of a Leader” were entered in the Asian World Film Festival Nov. 6-14 in Los Angeles.
