The long-awaited film «Aldar. Mahabbat Turaly Ańyz» has hit Kazakhstani cinemas – a historical blockbuster about the famous folklore hero. The creators promised a modern reinterpretation of the story, reports Todayinfo.
Aldar-Kose is a popular character in Kazakh tales, a clever poor man who tricks the rich. He has appeared on screen before: the most famous film is Shaken Aimanov's 1964 «The Beardless Trickster». Later came cartoons and TV series. In 2011, the series «Aldar Köse» by director Din Makhametdinov, with a soundtrack by Batyrkhan Shukenov, launched Dauren Sergazin and Sanurzhan Suleimen.
Fifteen years later, Sergazin returned to the role and produced the feature film. The budget reached about 600 million tenge – a record for independent Kazakh cinema. The creators marketed it as the first historical blockbuster without state funding. However, critics compare it to state-ordered films like «Nomad» and «Kazakh Khanate».
The film is full of pompous speeches, warriors in yurts, and horse rides across the steppe. All Kazakhs are good, Oirats are bad. Aldar now not only tricks the rich but also prevents war, though this is weakly portrayed.
The biggest flaw is the lack of humor. The love story is also unconvincing: there is no chemistry between the actors. Experts say a more experienced director and screenwriter were needed. Nevertheless, this is a step away from comedies and melodramas. If historical films remain at this level, Kazakh cinema won't change soon.
