Tulpan (2008)

Plot Summary: The film follows Asa, a young man returning from his Russian naval service to his sister’s nomadic family on the desolate Hunger Steppe of central Asia. Eager to start his own life as a shepherd, Asa must first win the hand of the only eligible girl in miles, his mysterious neighbor Tulpan.

Director: Sergey Dvortsevoy

Starring:
Askhat Kuchinchirekov as Asa
Samal Yeslyamova as Samal
Ondasyn Besikbasov as Ondas
Tulepbergen Baisakalov as Boni

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Realism and Raw Authenticity

Today we are leaving Kazakhstan with the movie "Tulpan" by Sergey Dvortsevoy, who also directed our first movie of the week, "Ayka." Let me tell you, right away, that this is an amazing, unbelievable film. If in yesterday's documentary, "The Eagle Huntress," I felt that I was watching something fictional, today was the opposite. Some scenes are so real that it looks like a documentary about the people living in the so-called Hungry Steppe or Betpak-Dala. The story follows Asa, his big ears, and his strange family. There's only one girl (Tulpan) in this barren frickin' desert for Asa to marry, but she doesn't like his big ears, even if comparing them to Prince Charles of America makes them look small (this is my absolute favorite scene from the movie).

Unique Characters and Real-Life Inspiration

Why is Asa living with his sister's (Samal) family? At somepoint Asa asks Samal why her husband hates him. Well, dude, you are a cock-blocker! You are ruining the mood inside the yurt! One thing is to have sex next to your four kids, another is to have your brother-in-law there. Kazakh nomadic life is wild! Are Asa's and Samal's parents dead? Not important, I'm just rambling here. Every character in this movie captivates me, a result of Dvortsevoy's meticulous casting process. Crews with small cameras scoured nearly every city in Kazakhstan to find the perfect actors. The main cast members (Asa, Samal, Ondas, Beke, Maha, and Nuka) actually lived in the yurt featured in the film for a month prior to shooting. Remarkably, only 20 percent of the film followed the initial script, with the remaining 80 percent being developed in real-time based on the unfolding circumstances during filming.

Memorable Moments and Cinematic Brilliance

You couldn't script Asa helping a sheep give birth, right? And when Ondas puts his whole mouth around the dead calf's mouth—that was intense, I almost puked! Amazing moments I couldn't imagine seeing today. There's also the hilarious scene of a veterinarian being chased by a mama camel for 100km because he was taking care of her baby camel, who was all bandaged up. That camel chase is out of this world 😂. Living in such harsh conditions, you might think anything could be better, but Asa tries to leave three times and always turns back. Why? Was he afraid of the city and some octopus encounter? Or does he ultimately love living in such an isolated place? There's magic when they talk about the stars under the steppe. When Asa talks with his crazy friend Boni about making a farm and bringing electricity and satellite TV, you understand that he doesn't want to leave; he just needs his Tulpan. The cinematography is a solid 10/10, with some captures being one-in-a-million shots. Music is absent, except for a cappella singing and "Rivers of Babylon" by Boney M. This movie is a must-watch—funny, tragic, and set in an unbelievable world. It's baffling to think people still live like this. But hey, more power to them!

🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

Stunning and beautifully captures the barren landscapes of the Kazakh steppe.

📖 Story (9/10):

A compelling and authentic portrayal of nomadic life, filled with humor and heartfelt moments.

🎬 Direction (10/10):

Dvortsevoy's meticulous direction and real-time adaptation make the film feel incredibly genuine.

👥 Characters (9/10):

Fascinating and well-developed, each character adds depth to the story.

💥 Visual Effects (N/A):

Was that whirlwind special FX? Of course not. 5 points to balance it out.

🎭 Acting (9/10):

The performances are natural and convincing, adding to the documentary-like feel.

💬 Dialogue (9/10):

Engaging and fitting for the setting, I love how Asa tells his navy stories 😂 he is such a bullshitter .

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (10/10):

The harsh environment is depicted perfectly.

🎵 Music (5/10):

Minimal.

😄 Entertainment Value (9/10):

A must-watch for its unique setting and fascinating portrayal of a different way of life.

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