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Culture Social Cannes Film Festival

Cannes Award-Winning Film, “Anora” Vexes Uzbek Public

American director Sean Baker’s film “Anora” was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for the comedy-drama genre. The film, about a prostitute from Uzbekistan, has sparked discussions in Uzbekistan on social networks. Starring Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelshtein, and Yura Borisov, the film premiered on May 21st, 2024, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, with the audience applauding the filmmakers for nine minutes after the screening. As a result, the film was awarded the “Golden Palm Leaf” on May 25th. The movie's events take place in Brooklyn, New York, USA. The main character, Anora, introduces herself as Ani, a 23-year-old Uzbek girl working as a dancer and sex worker in a nightclub. Ani meets a Russian, Vanya, in a club and starts a conversation, following which Vanya brings Ani to a luxurious house, where they drink alcohol, play video games, and enjoy the night together. The audience then learns that Vanya is the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, and suddenly, he offers Ani the chance to fly to Las Vegas and marry him, presenting her with a four-carat diamond ring as proof of his intentions. Ani agrees, but the story does not end happily. Having learned about his son’s plan, Vanya's father and his wife immediately fly from Russia to New York to persuade their son to cancel the marriage. The interpretation of Ani has caused much conversation on the internet in Uzbekistan, and many expressing their displeasure with the movie's portrayal of her. “I didn’t see any image or reality in this film or in the comments about the film that indicate that Anora is Uzbek. I didn't even read such a concept in the review. On the contrary, the comments talk about the novel of an American woman and a Russian man. Russian commentators are currently criticizing the subject of this film as an attempt to confuse Russian life without knowing Russian life. So, the heroes are an American woman and a Russian man, and the word Uzbek comes from the name only,” journalist Chori Latipov said on his Facebook page. Social network users are worried that the film portrays Uzbek girls in a negative light. Lochinbek Amanov remarked that, “This is a complicated issue for an honorable nation.” “There can be various reasons why such a film is developed and won at the festival,” journalist and screenwriter Sarvar Rahimi said. “First of all, they are angry that we are holding onto national and religious values instead of following their lead. Secondly, they have wrong assumptions about our nation.” Shahrukh Abdurasulov, senior researcher in the Department of Theater and Choreography of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Art Studies, told The Times of Central Asia that it is true that some Uzbek girls make a living as prostitutes not only in the USA but in dozens of corners of the world. “This is the tragedy of our nation. However, many of our girls have studied...

Culture Legislation Parliament

Kyrgyzstan Introduces Temporary Ban on Deputies’ International Travel

Deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh have been restricted from taking foreign trips until the summer vacation. Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiev announced this at a parliamentary session, 24.kg reports. According to him, the deputies must hold five more plenary sessions before the recess. "There are many bills important for the fate of the country and the population. We must have time to consider them. Therefore, I ask you to participate in the Parliament sessions actively. Foreign travel has been restricted since Monday, except for several important events. We will not go anywhere. We are actively working for three weeks,” Shakiev said. The Kyrgyz parliament goes on summer vacation on July 1st, and deputies will return to work on September 1st.

Culture

Kazakhstani Movies No Longer Playing Just a Supporting Role

Until recently, the idea of Kazakhstani movies grossing a billion tenge ($2.5m) was a pipe dream. But in the last two years several films have earned this amount. The number of films being co-produced with world-leading studios is growing. However, domestic cinema still struggles to overcome funding and content quality problems. At the end of last year, the romantic comedy Taptym au seni (I Found You) earned more than a billion tenge in just 10 days of screenings. But the real shock came later, when the box office receipts of the suspense film Dastur (Tradition) exceeded a billion tenge after only a week of distribution. In one weekend alone it significantly outperformed Hollywood's Aquaman. In just the second half of last year, Kazakhstani films at the domestic box office earned over $14 million. One of the highest-grossing films was Kazakhstani Business in India, directed by Nurlan Koyanbayev. The film grossed over 1.25 billion tenge, and it was followed by Maghan Nazar Audar (Look at Me). The top ten includes Zhaidarman (Cordial), Zhynim Sol (My Gene) and Azhyrasam (Divorced). Domestic films now account for 30% of total box office receipts in Kazakhstan. Domestic analysts are confident that in the near future Kazakhstani cinema will overtake Uzbekistan to become the leader in Central Asia. In addition to the national Kazakhfilm studio and private studios, production is being driven forward by the State Center for Support of National Cinema. The Center allocates grants to industry figures on a competitive basis, and although there are heated discussions around the terms of the competition and the awardees, state support has a significant impact on the release of films. As for the subject matter, comedies are usually the leaders at the box office. They are often devoted to crime, drug trafficking, fraud, dishonest business, and corruption. Romance and historical figure movies remain popular as well. There is also a growing trend of condemning violence against women in the industry. Dastur, for example, tells the story of a rape victim who violently avenges not only the offender but also his neighbors, with whose tacit consent her life and dignity were devalued. Some sources are speculating that there will soon be a film adaptation of the story of the murder of Saltanat Nukenova by former minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev, which has attracted worldwide attention. A decline in the popularity of western and Russian films, which have led the box office in past decades, is also helping the growth of domestic movies. The share of international projects in the Kazakhstani film industry is growing. In March, the series Assassins Beginning, produced in Egypt, showed spectacular locations across Kazakhstan, including Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes. In January Kazakhstan and Nigeria's 'Nollywood' joined forces for the first time to create a movie called Adam Bol. The film will be shown in both countries, with Nigeria steadily taking over movie markets in Africa and Asia. Joint production helps to not only create jobs in the film industry, but to support businesses as well....

Uzbekistan Education Investments Culture Central Asia Social Saudi Arabia

Saudi Al Faris International Proposes to Open Schools in Uzbekistan

According to the Dunyo news agency, Uzbekistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Nodirjon Turgunov met with the chairman of the education company Al Faris International, Osama bin Salih, to discuss introducing Al Faris schools to Uzbekistan. Al Faris schools are among the best in Saudi Arabia, and operate to the international IBO standard. Bin Salih commented: “We are ready to establish international schools based on one hundred percent of our own capital or with Uzbek partners. In these schools, education is provided in accordance with international standards, studies are conducted on the basis of strict requirements of foreign and local languages. In addition, preschool educational institutions will be established, where children under the age of six will be given intensive lessons in preparation for primary school."

Tourism Central Asia Uzbekistan Social Culture

Healing Properties of Uzbekistan’s Chashma Spring Draw Curious Tourists

It’s Sunday morning, and a nice breeze is blowing. Due to favorable weather, many people are paying a visit to the Chashma complex in Nurota, in the Navoi region of Uzbekistan. The complex is one of the most visited holy places by Central Asian Muslims, and thousands of tourists from all over the world flock here every year. The Times of Central Asia decided to see how popular the tourist spot is. This historical complex includes the Chilustun Mosque, the Chashma Spring, the Panjab (Beshpanja) Well, the Panjvaqta Mosque, and Sheikh Abul Husan Nuri Mausoleum. The people of Nurota district mainly speak Tajik, in which the word Chashma means "holy spring." In the 9th century, the Chilustun Mosque was built at Chashma; it was rebuilt in the 16th century during the rule of Amir Timur. The mosque, erected near the holy spring, has a dome-shaped sundial with cylindrical windows, which sits in the heart of the mosque. In addition, the art of wood carving and other examples of Central Asian national decoration were skillfully used in the construction of the mosque. Panjvaqta Mosque is located next to Chilustun. This mosque was built between 1570 and 1582 upon orders from Abdullah Khan II, the Emir of Bukhara. Today, the building consists of a large dome with two-sided porticos. All of its columns are made of mulberry and elm wood, and the base is made of marble. The main focus of visitors is the Chashma Spring. Local resident, Zilola Safarova has said that 40,000 years ago, a meteorite fell from the sky in this place and radiated light for a hundred days. As a result of the meteorite, a crater was formed and a holy spring with healing properties appeared. The people of Nurota believe this legend, and many are of the opinion that the name Nurota is related to this event. Chashma's water flows through thousands of kilometers of underground passages at a rate of 290 liters per second, and the temperature of its water remains constant in all seasons of the year at 19.5° Celsius. The spring's highest recorded flow rate was 400 liters per second. Furthermore, Chashma's water is said to have healing properties. It was found that it contains trace amounts of gold, which is said to be a cure for gastrointestinal diseases. It has long been known that iodine in water is a cure for goiters, and rare bromine is known as a cure for nervous disorders. Meanwhile, silver contained in the water ensures that its mineral composition is well preserved. Microbiologists say that this holy water contains 15 useful trace elements which have the ability to calm a person and may have a positive effect on the body. If one pays attention to the entire picture here, there are fish in the Chashma, which are called river marinka. These fish have an average lifespan of 17 years, and clean the streams from which spring water emerges out of sand. That sand ensures a moderate flow...

Social Legislation Judiciary Rule of law Culture Saltanat Nukenova Bishimbayev Murder Trial

Bishimbayev Trial: Will the “Show” Shift Reality?

The trial of Kuandyk Bishimbayev, accused of murdering his common-law wife, Saltanat Nukenova, is coming to an end with the verdict now in the hands of the jury. The trial has resonated widely in Kazakhstani society, but according to Gulmira Ileuova, a sociologist and head of the public foundation, Strategy: Center for Social and Political Research, Kazakhstan still has a long way to go to successfully fight abusive relationships. Ileuva commented on the case in an interview with the Times of Central Asia. TCA: In Kazakhstan, Bishimbayev's trial has received a huge amount of attention, and Nukenova's death is being discussed at home and abroad, with rallies being held in her memory. Moreover, a law toughening penalties for domestic violence has recently been passed. Will that help to radically change the situation with violence to which thousands of Kazakhstani women are subjected every year? Ileuova: It seems to me that Bishimbayev's trial has influenced some categories of people - those who are ready to listen and draw conclusions. But society in a broader sense will not be overtly affected by this situation. Specialists are watching the trial, examining the behavior of lawyers, prosecutors, and other participants. Conclusions are also being drawn that the arguments used by the defense remain childish, infantile. Public opinion attributes to Bishimbayev's lawyers, let's say, the moral image of Bishimbayev himself. Psychologists will also draw conclusions: about problems with upbringing, family relations, etc. But in general, the feeling is that of a show having been created, captivating the audience, and making [the audience] terrified or delighted. Emotional swings are created, adrenaline is produced, and accordingly, people watch and get involved. But I doubt that there has been a profound shift in society against the backdrop of the trial. There needs to be a lot of additional activities, outreach, to tie the new law on domestic violence, in particular, to direct practice. Just the other day, the wife of a Kazakhstani diplomat appealed to the authorities for protection, saying that her husband had been torturing her for years and had beaten her again. This particular man did not draw any conclusions from Bishimbayev's story, including concerning his own actions. This official should have realized that the president was one of the most active initiators of the law on domestic violence. Of course, further public reaction will also be influenced by the expected decision of the court in the Bishimbayev case. If the principle of the inevitability of punishment and changes in the judicial system are demonstrated, there will be a certain shift. However, for now it is perceived mainly as a show. There is still an educational effect [only] in a small segment of society. TCA: Why doesn't society perceive such clear signals? Why isn't there a shift to zero tolerance for domestic violence? Ileuova: We want change too fast, which is hardly possible because the inertia within society is huge. If women are sold for kalym (bride price or dowry), then they are still...