A young Kyrgyz director Kanibek Kalmatov shared with IA "Kabar" information about the start of filming the long-awaited full-length biographical film "Aitmatov," which is dedicated to the life and work of the outstanding writer Chyngyz Aitmatov.
The filming process began on November 30. As Kalmatov stated, work is actively underway on the first block, and several filming stages are planned at different times. The main focus is on natural locations, where set designers and prop masters strive to recreate the atmosphere of the time as accurately as possible, although there will also be one studio pavilion.
Some of the filming will take place not only in Kyrgyzstan but also in Russia, Kazakhstan, and possibly in Belarus. More than a hundred people are involved in the project, including actors and members of the promotional team.
The director also noted that the process of selecting an actor to play Aitmatov has already begun, but the name of the performer is still kept secret. According to him, the actor must be able to convey the depth of the writer's inner world, his personal experiences and thought processes, as well as be able to engage in dialogue at a high level.
Costume designer Bermet Lazareva, who has lived in Yakutia for a long time and is a fan of Aitmatov's work, is responsible for creating the visual image of the main character. She is meticulously developing each costume that will be worn by Aitmatov.
"Each costume will either be handmade or individually tailored for Aitmatov, and we guarantee high quality," the director emphasized.
Kalmatov also reported that the film's teaser will be available to view as early as tomorrow evening. The premiere of the film is expected to take place in 2026.
