Scandal in Kazakhstan: Premiere of Film About Aitmatov Postponed After Scene Cut in Russia

Film critics suggest a link to censorship in Russia

The premiere of a biographical film about Chingiz Aitmatov in Kazakhstan has been postponed from November 12 to December 3. The filmmakers have not explained the reason for the delay, but film critics do not rule out the possibility that it is connected to censorship the movie reportedly faced in Russia.

The release of the biopic about the renowned Kyrgyz writer has been pushed back by nearly three weeks in Kazakhstan. Instead of premiering on November 12, the film will now be shown on December 3. No official explanation has been provided, while some film critics believe the delay may be linked to issues surrounding the film’s release in Russia, according to Kursiv.

The filmmakers initially announced on Instagram that the premiere had been postponed indefinitely due to circumstances beyond their control. However, a new release date was announced the following day. Director Kanibek KALMATOV declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the postponement, offering only a brief comment: “We’ll get through it.”

Film critic Dmitry MOSTOVOY suggested that the delay could be related to censorship in Russia, where the movie premiered on November 4. According to him, distributors of the Russian version allegedly demanded the removal of scenes depicting the Stalinist repressions of the 1930s, including an episode showing the execution of the writer’s father, Torekul Aitmatov. Notably, this scene remains visible in the film’s trailer.

The drama “Aitmatov” was released in Kyrgyzstan on October 15. The story is set in 1979, when the writer is completing his novel The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years, whose publication comes under threat due to Soviet censorship. A separate storyline focuses on the fate of Aitmatov’s father, who became a victim of Stalinist repression.

The film features Russian actors Sergey Bezrukov and Ravshana Kurkova, alongside performers from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The project was produced with the support of Kyrgyz President Sadyr JAPAROV.

Photo: Kinopoisk.

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