The History of Kazakh Cinema with Gulnara Abikeeva

Lecture
09.10 – 13.12.2025
Tselinny

Tselinny Center for Contemporary Culture is launching a course by film expert and critic Gulnara Abikeyeva, dedicated to the history and development of Kazakh cinema. Across two parts, the course traces the path from films of the Soviet era to those of independent Kazakhstan — from rare archival reels and stories of censorship to the bold works of the New Wave and contemporary films that are reshaping public discourse.

The first part explores Kazakh cinema during the Soviet period: how it reflected cultural and political processes, served as an instrument of power, yet also created space for self-expression. The second part focuses on independent Kazakhstan, from Needle and the “Kazakh New Wave” to new names and phenomena, including commercial cinema and the emergence of a female voice in directing.

Participants may enroll in the full course or choose one of the two parts. Classes take place on Thursdays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00. Participation fee: one part — 56,000 KZT; both parts — 95,000 KZT when purchased together. The course language is Russian.