EXCLUSIVE: Kyrgyz drama Kurak, directed by Erke Dzhumakmatova and Emil Atageldiev, has been denied a censor certificate in its home country, forcing the film to withdraw from the ongoing Bishkek International Film Festival. 

The Bishkek screening was meant to be a celebratory homecoming for the film following a successful international festival run, during which it played at 14 festivals and won several awards. 

The team behind the film announced that the Kyrgyztasmasy State Film Center, Department of Cinematography, had refused to issue a State Registration Certificate for the film, without which a public screening in Kyrgyzstan is not legally possible. 

The denial came less than 24 hours before the film’s national premiere at the fourth edition of Bishkek IFF. The state censor said the decision was based on “Protocol No. 1 of the departmental commission of the Department of Cinematography, following an expert evaluation of the film”. No further explanation was provided to the filmmakers. 

Based on true events, the film weaves together several stories exploring gender-based violence and patriarchal structures in contemporary Kyrgyzstan. Studio Oymo, a Bishkek-based production company founded by Dzhumakmatova, produced the film as an international co-production with companies based in Switzerland, Serbia, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Italy.

During its festival run, the film picked up two awards from Busan International Film Festival – the Vision of Jiseok Award and Bangladesh July Memorial Prize – as well as the Grand Prix at Dhaka International Film Festival, and the Grand Prix and two other prizes at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France. 

The filmmakers said the censor certificate denial carries a particular weight for the entire team as co-director Atageldiev passed away before he could witness the film’s international recognition.

“Our film is about those who try to suppress the truth. The bitter irony is that denying it a distribution certificate only illustrates what the film is about. Kurak has already been seen by audiences across the world – and it will be seen in Kyrgyzstan, by whatever means necessary,” said co-director Dzhumakmatova.

Human Films’ Pavel Feldman, the Netherlands-based producer of the film, said: “I am certain this is a grave mistake. The truth is easy to speak – and very hard to silence. We will do everything in our power to ensure that everyone in Kyrgyzstan who wants to see Kurak is able to. This is our obligation to the audiences this film was made for. Our obligation to those whose voices someone is trying to make unheard.”

Johann Chapelan of France-based co-producer Girelle Production said: “Kurak is not only a Kyrgyz story – it speaks to every society where women’s voices are silenced. That is precisely why it must be seen everywhere, especially at home.”

The other producers on the film include Kairat Birimkulov (KBP, Switzerland), Katerina Tarbo-Ignatenko (Spirito Libero, France-Serbia) and Alexandra Hoesdorff (Deal Productions, Luxembourg). Co-producers also include Milos Djukelic (Red Art Workshop, Serbia) and Paolo Maria Spina (Revolver, Italy).

Deadline reached out to Kyrgyztasmasy State Film Center, Department of Cinematography, for comment but did not receive a response.

Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.

Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.

Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );