Song from the Southern Seas

Running time: 92 mins

Two couples, one Russian and one Kazakh, live side by side in relative harmony amidst a beautiful yet semi-desolate region of the Great Steppe. But when the fair-skinned Russians give birth to a boy of decidedly darker skin, fifteen years of suspicion and acrimony arises between them, which can only be resolved by an ironic twist of family and fate. At times darkly somber, at others tender and wistful?and buoyed throughout by a soundtrack of folk-inspired melodies?writer/director Marat Sarulu draws on Kazakhstan?s epic history to create a deeply compassionate tale of humor and cultural insight.

The Global Lens Film Series is an annual, touring film program of eight to ten narrative feature films from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Each film is selected for its authentic voice, strong cinematic, and unique cultural perspective. It can be seen in more than 35 theatrical locations across the United States and Canada.

This film is co-presented by the Global Film Initiative.

Season:
2009
Director:
Marat Surulu
Cinematography:
Giorgi Beridze
Cast:
Ivan Vladimir Yavorsky, Asan Dzhaidarbek Kunguzhinov, Maria Irina Agejkina, Aisha Ajzhan Ajtenova
Editor:
Karl Riedl
Producer:
Sain Gabdullin, Karsten Stöter, Benny Dreschsel, Yuri Obukhov, Guillaume De Seille
Language:
Russian (w/ English subtitles)
Genre:
Drama
Music:
Andrey Sigle