Last week, filming of a movie about the fate of the Karlag prisoners began in Bilbao (Spain). The director of this film, which is being filmed jointly by Kazakh and Spanish filmmakers, is the famous director Miguel Angel Vivas, known for his world-famous series "House of Cards". This historical film, which will be released next year on Netflix, the world's largest streaming platform, stars Miguel Herran and Aaron Pipper, two Spanish actors known to the world for their works "House of Cards" and "Elite". Kazakh artists will be represented by Honored Workers of Kazakhstan Altynay Nogerbek and Sergey Ufimtsev, Dina Tasbulatova and Farabi Akkozov. We contacted Altynay Nogerbek, who will join the film crew early next year.

- How were you chosen for the film about "Karlag"? Was the casting held in Kazakhstan?

- Yes, the casting took place in Kazakhstan. In fact, about 5 years have passed since the start of this project. Later, the world was engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic, and the project was suspended. Then the organizers held another casting. Only this year I received a clear answer: "You are accepted." As you know, in cinema there is such a format as "self-tests." We play the role given to us, film it and send it to the directors. It was the same here. Later, the producers sent the recording to Spain. Then Spanish experts carefully reviewed it and gave their comments. After that, they made their choice. The second stage took place in Almaty. I went there myself and took part.Director Miguel Angel was supposed to be present at the event, but unfortunately he couldn’t make it at that time. However, our colleagues immediately sent him the footage. Then the final decision was made.

– As we noticed on social media, the film crew has apparently started working. When are you going to Spain?

– If I have the opportunity, I will go in January next year. I have already been to Madrid twice. During my first visit, we met with the director, discussed the project in detail and talked about our characters. During the second trip, we examined the actors. However, my partner couldn’t make it, so I had to finally agree on the role with the director. If possible, I will meet my partner on the set in January.

– Please tell us briefly about your role in this project.

– My character’s name is Anar. She lives in a village located near the camp. We know from history that the Kazakh people showed kindness and generosity even in dark times, giving all their goods to others, even when they themselves were poor. Our ancestors showed mercy and compassion to all the peoples who inhabited our holy land in difficult times. In this film, my heroine plays the role of a mother with the same character. When I met the director, he said: "Anar is the Motherland." I really liked this word. In total, 4 actors from Kazakhstan are involved in the film, including me. Dina Tasbulatova plays the role of Aisulu.The role of the character Oraz is performed by our Kandas Farabi, who has been living in Spain for many years and has experience in small productions. The event will also feature the Honored Artist of the State Academic Russian Drama Theater named after M.Yu. Lermontov Sergey Ufimtsev. The rest are Spaniards, Russians and representatives of other nationalities. Anar is Mother Earth, as well as the mother of the nation, and Oraz is the personification of the Kazakh intelligentsia. Aisulu is the personification of a Kazakh woman, a Kazakh spouse. Our Kazakh women cherish loyalty in their hearts. They were devoted to their country, their land and their chosen ones. We know this from history. In this troubled time, the women who were captured were given a condition: "If you give up your husbands, we will release you and your children from the camp." For the sake of the happiness and future of their children, some women must have had to surrender, sign denunciations and go free. But most of them, for example, the wives of Magzhan and Saken, who were in that camp, remained faithful to their husbands and courageously endured to the end. Our heroine Aisulu, like these courageous women, is a symbol of the purity and honesty inherent in the Kazakh woman. I think that difficult situations and historical events are always interesting to the viewer... The viewer wants to see his own truth in the historical and literary truth. Therefore, I hope that this project will also be successful.

– Did you have a goal of “being completely immersed in a film on Netflix, the world’s largest streaming platform”?

– Maybe that’s wrong. However, I didn’t set a goal of “I’ll take on such and such a project, work with such and such a director.” I can only say that I tried to be as honest as possible in my work. Since I became an actress, I have always chosen projects that are historical, serious, and leave a lasting impression. In most cases, a person’s life depends on their choice. Perhaps this is God’s gift to me. Of course, I am very happy. The film “The Road to Mother,” in which I starred, was shown in many countries. At that time, we also went to Spain and presented this film to the public. Then Ambassador Bakhyt Duisenbayev, who welcomed us, said: “If it were possible to make a film about the events in Karlag together with the Spaniards...” he said. It turned out that this meeting was the beginning of the project.

- Do you watch Netflix yourself?

- The Netflix platform is a platform full of top-rated, high-quality, popular films with world-famous actors and directors. Of course, I try to find time to watch films there.

- What genre of films do you watch most often on this platform? What is your favorite film?

- You know, it is difficult to answer the question "favorite work". Over time, as a person gets older, his choice also changes. This is the first thing. Secondly, art is limitless. Now there are so many talented directors and actors around us, about whom we say "Wow!"There are amazing projects in every genre, in every language, in every artistic language. It is difficult for me to single out “my favorite film”, “my favorite play” or “this director is my favorite director”. That is why I have so many favorite films on Netflix. We get what we need from each film. We find answers to the questions that bother us.

– We know that you recently returned from the Korkyt Ata Film Festival with an award. We will not be mistaken if we say that you are one of the Kazakhstani artists who have won the largest number of awards at foreign film competitions.

– Yes, I say this with pride. At the Korkyt Ata Turkic World Film Festival, which was held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, we brought the film “Dawn of the Great Steppe” by Akan Satayev, a famous director and strong specialist who opened the world to me. I play the role of Jahan Begim there. Daniyar Orazayev, who played the role of Kasym Khan, won in the nomination "Best Actor". I am very happy for him. In addition, Satybaldy Tokeyev, who made a significant contribution to the development and prosperity of Kazakh spirituality, was awarded the "For Contribution to Turkic Culture" award. This is a great honor for us. We did not return empty-handed.

– Thank you for your story! Good luck!

 

Interviewed by

Aliya Tleuzhankyzy

turkystan.kz