Moldiyar Ergebekov : We have stories in many films made up

1.    What can you say about the level of modern Kazakh cinema and why it won’t take an Oscar?

Firstly, modern Kazakh cinema is developing on all sides. On average, about 70-100 films are shot per year. Such films are shot with the support of state institutions like Kazakhfilm, as well as in private studios. Even today, for example, in the South Kazakhstan region we can say that a kind of cinema concept has been established. Many films are made in Shymkent. They watch them and conduct their festivals. Similarly, in Almaty and Astana. That is, it can be considered as three parts. In Almaty and Astana, films that are distributed throughout the country are made, among them popular art houses promoting art are shot.

Why doesn’t Kazakh cinema take an Oscar? That is, it doesn’t have to take an Oscar if we take it, we’ll be happy. In my opinion, there are flaws in aesthetics and content. There are really good artists and cameramen from the aesthetic side. For example, there are cameramen like Emir Baygazin and Boris Troshchev, their work is very invaluable. They won good prizes at level A festivals in cities such as Berlin, Venice, Toronto. Unfortunately, our films do not touch on topics common to all mankind. They have very local content. That is, affect Topics relating only to our society, and among these only for the conservative part. Of course, if I were in their place I would not give such films an Oscar.

2. Recently, comedy films like Business in Kazakh, Good buy my buy, Cinema by concepts have appeared in the domestic film industry. Do you watch such films and how do you rate the viewer?

Yes, the main goals of such films are light, intended for the community, and hanging out and for commercial purposes. For example, there is a kind of film market in Kazakhstan, where Hollywood and Russian films are outweighed, even competing among themselves. Recently, «Kazakh Entrepreneurs», I can’t consider them as cinematic. They have mastered this area. This is a good thing. Because there should be competition between the film of art and the light film. When this competition appears, both areas will develop. It may not develop, but we will believe in it.

3.    In your opinion, films of which genre do not capture the domestic film industry?

As I said, the content is very important. And really sincere films are not grabbing. We have stories in many films made up. They exist only in our fantasies.

Love in our view can be seen in such films. But love in real life differs much from this. Along with this, there is a concept of emancipation, that is, no representations and images are leading to freedom.

4. Among the people, the opinion is outweighed that the acting is not sincere. How do you look at this?

Of course, if the director wants the actors to play their part, then there is no problem.

This turns into the aesthetics of the film. But if you are going to make a historical film, you should bring the scenery and act as close as possible to that time. For example, we film a lot of historical films. And the state allocates a lot of money. And the actors play such historical films do not meet my expectations. They turn the historical truth into a satire or an artificial drama.

5. What examples can be taken from Hollywood on the path of development of Kazakh cinema?

If I made a film for commercial purposes, I would have made a comedy. Comedy is civilized on the one hand. Only those who own your civilization make it. Therefore, Hollywood and Russian comedies cannot get high ratings. Because, for people in your society, it can not be funny. And if I considered the film movie money, but as art, then I would make a film with a deep philosophical meaning.