This is the story of Asema, a young Kyrgyz girl from the city who, against her parent's wishes, makes a trip with her fiancée, Murat, to his family's village. Murat's family try to force them to marry immediately. However, Asema and Murat want to wait until the autumn. But in the remote, mountainous villages of Kyrgyzstan an ancient custom exists: the "bride stealing". Is it possible to justify this custom today, even if husband and wife eventually live happily ever after? This is the theme running through this contemporary, disturbing but ultimately heart warming tale of family loyalty, deception, betrayal and, above all, love. Filmed in the rugged, majestic mountains of Kyrgyzstan with sweeping, panoramic shots of mountains, lakes and forests, it vividly portrays this centuries-old Kyrgyz custom whilst colourfully reflecting the life, culture and hardships of the people in this unique and fascinating country.

Sceneggiatura / Screenplay Ernest Abdyjaparov
Fotografia (colore) / Photography (colour) Aibek Djangaziev
Montaggio / Editing George Kolotov
Musica / Music Ernest Abdyjaparov, Murzali Jenbaev
Suono / Sound George Kolotov, Antonina Balashova
Interpreti / Cast Asem Toktobekova, Tynchtyk Abylkasymov, Siezdbek Iskenaliev,
Elnura Osmonalieva
Costumi / Costumes Bakyt Tulpar
Trucco / Make-up Gulmira Davletbakova
Produzione / Production Oy Art Film Producing Company, A. Koichumanova,
Ald Capital Group
Anno di produzione / Year of production 2007
Durata / Running time 95’
Formato / Format 35mm

Ernest Abdyjaparov

Born 1961 in Bichkek (Kyrgyzstan), the film director and screenwriter entered 1988 at the "Kyrgyzfilm", the Kyrgyz state film studio, and works as an administrator, editor, associate director and film director. He made his directorial debut 1993 with the short doc Menin Pirim Almanbet. Directed films: Taranchy (short, 1995), Besh-Terek (doc, short, 1995), Fragile Wood (doc, short, 1995), Subway (doc, short, 1996), Lullaby (doc, short, 1997), Beket (short, 2000), Bosogo (short, 2000), Algambra (doc, short, 2001), Aktan's Chimp (doc, short, 2002), Mary, Moses' Daughter (doc, short, 2002). His made 2004 his first fiction feature, Saratan, which was screened in World Premiere at the Panorama Programme of the Berlinale IFF 2005 and at the Asiatica 2005 and won the Grand Prix of the IFF at Marrakech (Morocco).