Emir Kusturica Plans to Make a Film About Genghis Khan Based on a Book by Chinghiz Aitmatov

Kusturica plans to make a film about Genghis Khan based on Aitmatov's book

Film director Emir Kusturica announced that he plans to make a film about the Khan of the Mongol Empire, Genghis Khan.

“I currently have an idea to make a film about Genghis Khan, a huge film about how one person, who was not loved here and in the West, is portrayed,” Kusturica told reporters during the international film festival "Hero and Time" in Zheleznovodsk.

According to him, the film will be based on the book by Kyrgyz and Russian writer Chinghiz Aitmatov. “I have a very good book by Chinghiz Aitmatov, a very good writer; I think this film will be ready for the next festival,” Kusturica noted.

The director did not specify which book by Aitmatov he was referring to, but it is likely that he will be making a film based on the novel “And the Day Lasts More Than a Century,” as it includes the story “The White Cloud of Genghis Khan.”

The filmmaker mentioned that there is a scene in the book where Genghis Khan approaches a river and waits for it to freeze so he can cross it. Kusturica has not yet decided where to shoot the film – in the Caucasus or Siberia.

Kusturica was one of the honorary guests of the "Hero and Time" film festival, where he presented his new book titled “Emir Kusturica and The No Smoking Orchestra,” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the music group. The book includes the director's autobiography, the history of the band’s creation, and its creative journey, as well as numerous illustrations.

Emir Kusturica is a Serbian film director and musician, a recipient of awards from major film festivals in Europe. He is best known for his films “Time of the Gypsies,” “Invisible Children,” “Black Cat, White Cat,” “Life is a Miracle,” and “Underground.” He is also a member of the rock band The No Smoking Orchestra.

The international film festival "Hero and Time" was held for the first time from May 25 to June 2 in Zheleznovodsk and other cities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters agglomeration. The festival's competition program included 12 feature films and 12 documentaries.