La scimmia

It takes talent to make a good film in which "nothing happens".

Well, Aktan Abdykalykov, his teenage son Mirlan (who plays the titular lead) and the rest of the largely amateur cast have managed to do so, with a minimum of resources and a maximum of heart.

"The Chimp" is set in a desolate town in Kyrgyzstan at some unknown point in the past. The lead character ("The Chimp", so called for his big ears) is seventeen and about to enter compulsory military service with the bulk of his friends. The film is a look at life in a country that the rest of the world would probably never otherwise have a chance to see. Perhaps the most striking thing about life for "The Chimp" in rural Kyrgyzstan is how many of the same problems affect people in all countries around the world. The boys in the village are horny and sexually frustrated, (some of the girls seem to be so as well), alcoholism remains a problem among the largely blue-collar town, and the kids fight with each other, fight with their parents, have crushes on each other, get into trouble, listen to pop music, get part-time jobs and generally do their best to get by.

The main reason to recommend this film is to see a "slice-of-life" from Central Asia. It's not necessarily "exciting", but it is a fascinating look at a Kyrgyz family and community (mixed Kyrgyz and Russian) struggling to get by. 7/10. Recommended.

Maimal is the story of a young Kirghiz who has to go to the army. But before, he would like to have his first sexual experience. The problem is that he looks like a monkey and is shy because of this. Sounds dull ? Maybe if it was an American movie. It would be something like American Pie. But in Kirghiztan, it leads to a touching fable about young Kirghizs. And it's a good way to talk about the problems of this former USSR Republic : alcohol, poverty and so on. Let's say this movie is clever, well acted, well directed and an interesting experience for every movie lovers. Ever seen a kirghiz movie ? Try this one.

This is the story of a boy who is no longer a boy but not quite a man. The Chimp is a very interesting tale about growing up and making choices in your life, about families and friends. I love the pacing of this film, it takes time to tell the story. The acting was a little hit and miss by some but there were two that I thought were very good, the lead actor, Mirlan Abdykalykov I enjoyed his performance, and Dzylykcy Dzakypov as the father was very good as well. Lovingly photographed showing that there is beauty in the small things of life and even in the most desolate of surroundings. I had never watched a movie from Kyrgyzstan before, but this was a fine introduction to their films.