An AO Kazakhfilm, Too Kazakh Cinema Distribution presentation of a Kazakhstan National Co. production. (International sales: Kazakhfilm National Co., Almaty, Kazakhstan.) Produced by Sergei Asimov. Directed by Abai Kulbai. Screenplay, Kulbai, Eugenie Zvonkine.
With: Inessa Kislova, Anar Kakenova, Merlen Kaldybalin, Lyazzat Aidatova, Bakhytzhan Alpeisov, Maxim Pupisov, Marzhan Kazybaeva.
Life is tough but forgiving in Kazakhstani coming-of-ager "Strizh." Low-budget pic benefits from a charming central perf by teenage thesp Inessa Kislova, and bowing helmer Abai Kulbai has enough creative flair to indicate that he's a talent to watch, but at times the script is as lost as its central protag. Decidedly Russian in flavor, this indie effort will satisfy fests searching for something that is at once familiar and exotic, but is too unfocused to be much more than a promise of better films to come from Kulbai.
Fighting at school and unhappy at home with her pregnant mother and drunken stepdad, petulant, tomboyish teen Ainur (Kislova) quits high school. She aimlessly bounces around Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, encountering a cross-section of the population as she goes. Perfs vary from amateurish to pro, but Kislova has enough screen presence to carry the burden of the film's increasingly vague intentions. Helming is clean and uncluttered, with signs of an ambitious directorial eye, while HD lensing makes the most of the snow-covered locations. Tech credits are good enough. Title literally means "haircut."
Camera (color, HD), Alexander Kostylev; music, Sergei Pogorelsev; art director, Alexei Shindin. Reviewed at Rotterdam Film Festival (competing), Jan. 30, 2008. Russian dialogue. Running time: 74 MIN.
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