TULPAN
TULPAN
Starring: Askhat Kuchinchirekov, Samal Yeslyamova, Ondasyn Besikbasov, Tulepbergen Baisakalov
Director: Sergey Dvortsevoy
Review by Shauntelle J.
Set in the outback of the harsh Kazakh steppe, Tulpan [Tulip] is a tale like no other. This story of love, family, survival and the search for happiness, touches the heart in the most unexpected way.
Tulpan tells the story of Asa (Askhat Kuchincirekov), a former sailor, who returns to the Kazakh steppe to live with his sister Samal (Samal Yeslyamova), her husband Ondas (Ondasyn Besikbhasov) and their three children, who live a nomadic shepherd life. All Asa desires is to be a shepherd with his own flock and his own yurt. But to have this, he must first be married. Ironically, Tulpan, the only single female in the area, rejects him, as his ears are too big! Asa then strives to prove his worth and his love for Tulpan, in order to have his own slice of paradise.
I found myself pleasantly surprised by the depth added to this rather simplistic storyline by the characters, the setting and the events of daily life on the steppe. The harshness of the steppe depicted by the heat, the dust and the noisy animals, are softened by the striking warmth inside the yurt. Although overcrowded and noisy in itself, the worn yurt and the relationships between the family members who inhabit it, capture a comforting tenderness very different to its unforgiving surroundings. I found my self laughing through some scenes whilst holding my breath in shock or anticipation in others. Watching the 10 minute real take of the birth of a lamb, you can’t help but share Asa’s desperation and exuberance.
Tulpan is a simple story that beautifully captures the essence of life on the steppe. The harsh realities of life and death, the contrast between city life and nomadic life, the relationship between a shepherd and his flock, the strong family ties that bind the fragile members of Asa’s family and every character’s search for happiness are told so poignantly through the images and sounds of this film.
What sets Tulpan aside from others is the way the award winning director, Sergey Dvortsevoy has dedicated himself to capturing the authenticity of life on the steppe. Combining professional actors with members from local towns was a stroke of genius, as it feels like the characters are simply being themselves. I was particularly interested to learn that the film took 4 years to film and that the three children in the film were all non actors from a nearby city, belonging to the same family. The long takes and minimal cuts (90 in the whole film) result in a story so genuine; built by images, sounds and the uncanny interaction between the characters and animals that simply cannot be scripted.
It is no surprise that Tulpan is the winner of over 12 coveted accolades, including the winner of Best Film and Best Director at the Tokyo Film Festival and three prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Pris Un Certain Regard. I strongly recommend Tulpan as one of the most memorable movies of this year.
