Bolotbek Shamshiev: I am proud of courage and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Tatarstan
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Bolotbek Shamshiev: I am proud of courage and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Tatarstan

26 April 2019

The meeting with Bolotbek Shamshiev, a Kyrgyz film director, screenwriter, actor, a People’s Artist of the USSR, was held within the framework of the 15th Kazan Muslim Film Festival. He presented the film White Ship based on the story by Chingiz Aitmatov. Shamshiev also shared his memories of his previous visits to Kazan, discussed his life values ​​and spoke about Aitmatov family.

‘I am proud of your courage and entrepreneurial spirit, you are legendary people’, said Bolotbek Shamshiev. ‘This is my fourth visit to the Republic. As always, when I am in Kazan, I am recalling the memories about Aitmatov family. Your land has given us such a wonderful person as the mother of Chingiz Aitmatov, Nagima Abduvaliyeva. She made a real feat, having endured all the trials of life and raised four children. On the occasion of the 85th birthday of the writer, I came to the capital of Tatarstan with his sister and son. We visited universities and schools. It was surprising to see such a great love of your people for Chingiz Aitmatov’, added Bolotbek Shamshiev. 

The director presented his film, White Ship. The plot of the picture unfolds around a family, living in a remote area near Issyk-Kul Lake. The main characters of the film are an orphan boy and his grandfather Momun. The boy is growing up listening folk legends, which his grandfather is transmitting to him.

The film, produced at Kirgizfilm film studio in 1975, has been awarded several times. In 1977, its director, Bolotbek Shamshiyev, screenwriter, Chingiz Aitmatov and cameraman, Manasbek Musayev, received the USSR State Prize. In the same year, the film received the Grand Prix of the Trento International Film Festival, Italy.

Shamshiev noted that such films as Early Cranes (1979) and Ascent of Fujiyama (1988) were also shot based on the works of Chingiz Aitmatov. The genius of the great writer instantly attracted people of all ranks: ‘He always touched the most vital issues, as good, evil, morality. The world cannot exist without good. We, people, should find the strength to give up everything that is low and mean. After all, the most important thing in a person is pride and honour’, concluded Bolotbek Shamshiev. 

The meeting concluded with the screening of ‘White Ship.


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