Decision not to nominate Kazakh film for Oscar’s sparks controversy

17.10.2023, 17:26 exclusive.kz

The filmmakers’ union’s “secretive” decision not to nominate any Kazakh film for an Oscar in the foreign language film category this year has sparked controversy.

Some asked if the decision was taken out of solidarity with Russia, which earlier did the same.

The acting director of the Union of Kazakhstan’s Filmmakers, Kanat Torebay announced the decision in late September, without giving any reason.

Torebay told Exclusive.kz that the members of the Union’s special Oscars’ Committee “unfortunately, found that this year we do not have good enough films” to nominate.

He denied any connection to Russia’s similar move. He said that the Kazakh committee’s decision was taken “long before the Russian one”, and “is absolutely not connected” to it.

“We work independently,” he said.

Film producer Bayn Alaguzova has slammed the Filmmakers’ Union over its decision as “a state within state”, “full of intrigue and quarrels”.

”I would like to understand who those people and why they’ve decided that not a single Kazakh film deserves being nominated for an Oscar?” she said, according to media reports.

The Alaguzova-produced film “Baqyt” won Audience Award at the Berlinale in 2022.

Film director Sabit Kurmanbekov, who is one of the members of the Committee, agreed with the criticism that the Committee worked “too secretly”.

“A broader decision-making process is needed,” he told Exclusive.kz.

In 2022-2023 the Kazakh film industry released a total of 58 films.

The industry has been regularly shaken by various scandals in recent years. At the same time, independent Kazakh filmmakers and actors have made a mark at international festivals in the past several years.

Actor Yerkebulan Daiyrov was named Best Asian Actor at Cannes Film Festival in 2021 for his role in “Sunflower”. In 2018 actress Samal Yeslyamova won Cannes’ Best Actress award for her work in “Ayka”, directed by Sergey Dvortsevoy.

Film director Marzhan Bekmaganbetova won an Honorary Mention at the 2021 Cannes Short Film Festival for the film “Maryam.” Director Adilkhan Yerzhanov was honoured for directing “A Dark, Dark Man” at Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2019.

Director Emir Baygazin’s “Harmony Lessons” won a Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution for camera work at the Berlinale in 2013.

By Merey Sugirbayeva