Bolotbek Shamshiyev
Directing
Biography
Bolotbek Shamshiyev was born on January 12, 1941, in Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, USSR (now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan). Before entering the film industry professionally, he worked as an assistant sound engineer at the Frunze Studio of Feature and Documentary Films, later known as Kyrgyzfilm. In 1959, he enrolled in the directing department of VGIK in Moscow, where he studied under director Aleksandr Zguridi. While still a student, he made his acting debut in Larisa Shepitko’s film “Heat,” in which he played the lead role of Kemel. Shamshiyev graduated from VGIK in 1964. His diploma project, the documentary film “Manaschi” (1965), was dedicated to the Kyrgyz epic storyteller Sayakbay Karalayev. After graduation, he joined Kyrgyzfilm as a film director and worked there from 1964 until 1990. During this period, he directed a number of feature and documentary films, including “Shot at the Karash Pass,” “The Red Poppies of Issyk-Kul,” “The White Ship,” “Among People,” “Early Cranes,” “The Wolf Pit,” “Snipers,” and “The Ascent of Mount Fuji.” Several of his films were based on works by Kyrgyz writer Chyngyz Aitmatov. His 1976 film “The White Ship” was entered into the 26th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1977, he received the USSR State Prize for the film. He was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Kirghiz SSR in 1975 and People’s Artist of the USSR in 1991. In the 1990s, Shamshiyev was also involved in public and cultural administration in Kyrgyzstan. He founded the private film company Salam-Alik in Bishkek and later served in several governmental positions, including Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Cultural and Sports Events under the Government of Kyrgyzstan and General Consul of Kyrgyzstan to the United Arab Emirates. Bolotbek Shamshiyev died on December 21, 2019, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Known For
An idealistic high school graduate goes to work on a state farm on the Kyrgyz steppe, only to clash with its authoritarian leader.
Heat
Longing to discover his father, a sad young boy dreams of becoming a fish and swimming to the great white ship he sees traversing Lake Issyk. Lost in his dreams, and buoyed by the pagan tales of his Central Asian grandfather, he feels a close communion with nature: so much so that when a hunter kills a stag, he too takes a final, liberating leap.
The White Ship
About the Kirghiz aristocracy's attempt to battle the influx of Russian merchants in pre-Revolution days.
Gunshot at the Mountain Pass
Directed by Bolotbek Shamshiyev, the movie shows Kyrgyzstan under early Soviet rule; and tells us about opium contrabanda across the border.
Red Poppies of Issyk-Koul
Samat is an orphan, and he strikes up a friendship with Musa, who is wheelchair bound due to illness. Little does he know Musa has ties to the criminal world.
Wolf Trap
A few former pupils of primary school teacher Aishi-Aly meet again for a party on the top of the sacred mountain that dominates their village. But what was supposed to be a joyful party turns into a nightmare...
The Ascent of Fujiyama
After studying Central female school where learner was trained as a spinier, in 1943 Aliya joined the Soviet armed force with her girlfriends .She shot an German sniper who killed many Soviet soldiers in an fighting action.
Snipers
No description available.
Echo of Love
Sultanmurat is a 14 year old boy who lives in a small Kyrgyz village. All the men have gone off to war so he is left alone to tend to the horses who are weak with hunger.
Early Cranes
Tien-Shan, 1966. For the first time in 13 years, winter duration is six months. Sheep in the mountains are hungry for grass on the sunny slopes. The state is taking urgent measures to save hundreds of thousands of wintering animals. But still...
The Shepherd
A tiny Kyrgyz aul in the mountains is slated for demolition, and its people must move to a collective farm. Young shepherd Kanat sets out for the city to study, but after being deceived, he chooses to stay, realizing he must first learn the art of living among people. The village elders, guided by timeless moral values, shape the destinies of the characters, rooted in a deep sense of belonging and communal spirit.
Among People
Portrait of Saiakbai Karalaev, one of the last bards of the "manas," a Kyrgyz national epic.