In Karaganda, the 50th anniversary of "Kyz-Zhibek" was celebrated with a documentary film.

A documentary film dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Sultan-Akhmet Khozhikov's movie "Kyz-Zhibek" was created with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information and the National Cinema Support Center. This film reflects on why the epic, which premiered in 1972, remains a jewel of national culture to this day.

Prominent public figures, playwrights, and film critics share their insights. Renowned Kazakh cinema master Asanali Ashimov, who played the warrior Bekezhan in "Kyz-Zhibek," shares his memories of the film.

Prior to this, the premiere took place in Almaty at the National Library of Kazakhstan.

– I am happy to come to you in Karaganda. The city is wonderful, beautiful, and rich in culture. Now, before the premiere, we met at the Saken Seifullin Theater. It is a significant event for me to present this documentary film, – says Meruert Utekeshova, the initiator of the filming and producer of the film.

The idea for such a project had been brewing for a long time, even during the lifetime of the actress Kuman Tastambekov, who portrayed the brave warrior Tolegen in "Kyz-Zhibek." Meruert Utekeshova believes it is essential to immortalize the memory of Kazakh classics and leave it as cultural heritage for future generations. She is convinced that the legendary epic can still teach lessons in directing, acting, and cinematography.

Many young people attended the premiere in Karaganda.

It is known that the role of Zhibek opened the door for Meruert into the acting profession. At that time, she was 16 years old and a tenth grader who decided to audition and found herself on a film set for the first time.

In an interview, the famous film and theater actress answered a question about girls who attend castings hoping to land a role and gain fame.

– You know, nothing comes easily. Being in a film and appearing on screen is not that simple. Being an actress is immense work. If talent is given, it will break through. If it is not there: something might work out, but then there will be nothing further. They should not think that my first and main role came easily. I simply didn’t tell anyone, and I won’t tell how difficult and hard it was. Now, I teach at the Institute of Arts in Astana. But no one taught me. There was some intuition that allowed me to feel my partners, the director, and the cinematographer. I didn’t go through what is needed, like having an internal monologue or preparation. But now we teach this for four years: some grasp it, some do not. I repeat: immense work and a sense of reverence in the soul are what is needed in any profession, – gave a kind of guidance Meruert Utekeshova.