Emir Baigazin

Emir Kenzhegazyuly Baigazin is a Kazakh actor and film director, active in the genres of auteur cinema and art-house. His first feature, HARMONY LESSONS (2013) , won the Silver Bear of the Best Artistic Contribution before starting an exceptional festival career, even winning a Special Mention Prize at Tribeca. His film THE RIVER (2019) was nominated in Venice and Toronto.

The River

A film by Emir Baigazin

2018 - Kazakhstan/Norway/Poland - Drama

A family with five sons lives in a remote Kazakh village. In accordance with the Eastern tradition, the eldest son Aslan (13) becomes the Father's deputy, in charge of all the work, and delegating the tasks. One day Aslan takes his brothers to the River for a swim - a moment of deep happiness. From then on, life is different. And when Kanat, an unknown cousin, unexpectedly arrives at the village, the structured life of the family begins to fall apart for good.