BAURYNA SALU

BAURYNA SALU tells the moving story of the boy Yersultan, who, in accordance with the ancient nomadic tribal tradition of the film's title, is given to his grandmother after birth so that she may raise him. At the age of twelve, his hard life, spent between the salt mine, the fields and their humble home, is upended by the death of his grandmother. Following this loss, he is forced to return to his family, for whom he has next to no feelings – however, he does sense an echo in his soul, the stirring of a vague wish to see them again. The film revolves around Yersultan's coming-of-age journey, his painful transformation and the attempt to recover his relationship with his parents, in particular with his father. Director Askhat Kuchinchirekov manages to enable the viewer to feel his protagonist's deepest emotions and personal conflicts – perhaps because he himself experienced a similar childhood. The camera accompanies individuals, observing their movements and depicting their way of life and traditions with great respect, while simultaneously capturing the authentic beauty of this region's nature and culture.