How a Strong Woman Led Kyrgyz Cinema to Success

The film "Kyrmanjan Datka" by Sadik Sher-Niyaz has been included in the program of the Montreal International Film Festival. DW spoke with the Kyrgyz director about this film and the development of cinema in Kyrgyzstan.

The film "Kyrmanjan Datka," set during the period of the annexation of territories inhabited by Kyrgyz tribes to the Russian Empire, has been included in the program of the Montreal International Film Festival (August 21 - September 1). Director Sadik Sher-Niyaz spoke to DW about working on the film and the development of the film industry in Kyrgyzstan.
DW: Why do you think the film "Kyrmanjan Datka" was chosen for screening at the Montreal International Film Festival?
Sadik Sher-Niyaz: An invitation to the Montreal Film Festival is a good sign for the film. To be honest, I was very worried that festivals do not favor patriotic films on historical themes. At least, the recent selections of films prove this. Many historical films have been made in Russia, and for example, Kazakhstan released the film "Nomad."
But most of these films do not make it to festivals. Therefore, I think the jury was attracted to the fact that we focused on the experiences of the main character. We portrayed the emergence of the image of a woman leader through the lens of historical events.
- The premiere of the film will take place on August 31, but perhaps you can already tell us what this film is about?
- This is a historical film that covers the life of the great woman Kyrmanjan Datka from her birth until her death. She lived for 96 years and witnessed many important events. It was a hot time in the political world: the destruction of Kokand, Bukhara, and the annexation of territories inhabited by Kyrgyz tribes to the Russian Empire. The film's action unfolds around this geopolitical game.
Kyrmanjan's parents marry her off to a man she does not love, and she runs away from him. For that time, this was an unprecedented case, and this already shows the character of our heroine. The ruler of the region - the Ferghana Valley - Alimbek Datka learns about this and subsequently falls in love with Kyrmanjan and takes her as his wife. They have children, and everything seems fine, but intrigues are brewing in the Kokand Khanate. At that time, there was a division between northern and southern Kyrgyz, whom Alimbek Datka tried to unite. However, his actions are not welcomed by the Kokand Khanate, and Alimbek is killed. Kyrmanjan has to take care of her people. The Emir of Bukhara grants her the title of Datka - leader of the Ferghana Valley.
After the capture of Kokand by the Russian army, she signs a treaty with General Mikhail Skobelev regarding the incorporation of the territory inhabited by the Kyrgyz people into the Russian Empire. But soon Alexander Poval-Shveykovsky is appointed governor, who was quite a short-sighted person. Thus begins the confrontation. Due to a false denunciation, Kyrmanjan's son is accused of killing Russian soldiers and is to be executed. Datka understands that his release could have dire consequences for the people and agrees to sacrifice her son. Her second son fights against the Russian army, waging war against it for two years. Eventually, he leaves for Afghanistan and dies there from his wounds. In the end, this woman loses almost everything but remains strong.

- The story of the annexation of the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan to the Russian Empire is quite controversial. The northern tribes were more favorable towards this than the southern ones, which resisted. Given this, were you tempted to portray the Russian Empire in the film as a sort of "villain"? Or did you refrain from making judgments?
- I am generally far from the idea that the film should express something against any nation. I think any creative person should adhere to such a position: one cannot instill hatred. It is a historical fact that Kyrmanjan Datka's son was hanged by order of Poval-Shveykovsky, and naturally, we showed this. The film depicts the truth. There is no "villain," as you say, but there are long-lasting experiences of Kyrmanjan Datka and her rebirth as a person. She is the main character of the film. We could not overlook the Kokand Khan, the Bukhara Emir, Alexander II, or the governors Skobelev and Poval-Shveykovsky. They are present in this film, as each of them played their role in history.
- Not long ago, Kyrgyz audiences did not go to local films. Now, as many experts note, the situation has changed. Why has the audience in Kyrgyzstan suddenly become interested in domestic cinema?
- Every year, about 50-60 films are produced in Kyrgyzstan. Due to a lack of funds, they are naturally far from cinematic art. Nevertheless, the process of film production has started: cinemas have appeared that show Kyrgyz films, and there are films that are profitable. Moreover, some local films compete at the box office with Hollywood blockbusters and win against them. Of course, one of the important factors is that the Kyrgyz audience wants to see their actors on screen and hear their native language.
I am pleased that for the third year in a row, audiences are going to theaters to see domestic films, and that Kyrgyz cinema is developing very well. At the closed screening of the film "Kyrmanjan Datka," we asked those present not to post anything on social media. But how can you forbid that? They began to quietly discuss the film, and many reviews appeared, both positive and negative, which I think is normal for promoting any film.

Lilit Dabagyan,
"Deutsche Welle",