Cinema in Central Asia: rewriting cultural histories
London; New York:
Tauris
(2013), xx, 297 pp., illustr., index
ISBN 978-1-84511-901-0 (pbk); 978-1-84511-900-3 (hbk); 978-0-75569-735-9 (online)
"Cinema in Central Asia is the first comprehensive and up-to-date account of the cinema of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan from its origins to the present day. Bringing together specialists from Central Asia, Russia, Europe and the United States, this companion to the cinema of the region combines serious scholarly study with practical accessibility to construct an historical narrative, discuss aspects of film production and consider the impact of film. The book also offers a deeper understanding of Central Asian culture that is invaluable with the geopolitical and economic emergence of this exciting region. The book opens with a broad history, paying particular attention to the emergence and expansion of the film industry, competing visions of nationalism and distinct phases of the post-Soviet film experience. A series of incisive articles written by specialists on Central Asian film follows. They explain early film institutions and themes, the impact of the Second World War, expressions of identity and protest during the Soviet era, as well as regional variations of post-Soviet filmmaking and political involvement. The final section comprises biographical and filmographical entries on the principal figures of Central Asian cinema that offer a much-needed reference for scholars and filmgoers." (Publisher)
Contents
An historical introduction / Michael Rouland, 1
I. AT THE CINEMATIC CRADLE
1 Vostokkino and the foundation of Central Asian cinema / Gabrielle Chomentowski, 33
2 Birth, death and rebirth of a nation: national narrative in Uzbek feature films / Cloé Drieu, 45
3 The various births of Kazakh cinema / Bauyrzhan Nogerbek, 57
II. CINEMA IN THE SOVIET REPUBLICS OF CENTRAL ASIA
4 Landscape and loss: world war II in Central Asian cinema / Stephen M. Norris, 73
5 Fragments from the history of Turkmen cinema / Swetlana Slapke, 89
6 Bulat Mansurov's 'The contest in context' / Michael Rouland, 105
7 Tajik cinema at the end of the Soviet era / Sadullo Rakhimov, 115
8 A small history of Kyrgyz cinema / Joel Chapron, 127
9 Re-visions of 'The sky of our childhood' / Elena Stishova, 137
10 A 'Wild Kazakh boy': the cinema of Rashid Nugmanov / Vitaly Chernetsky, 147
III. THE ERA OF INDEPENDENCE
11 Cinematic nation-building in Kazakhstan / Gulnara Abikeyeva, 163
12 Aesthetic influences in young Kazakh cinema / Eugénie Zvonkine, 175
13 Growing up in Central Asian cinema / Birgit Beumers, 187
14 Kyrgyz cinema: an attempt at eternal breakthrough / Gulbara Tolomushova, 199
15 A view from Moscow: myths and realities of the Uzbek film boom / Daria Borisova, 211
16 Contemporary Tajik cinema in context: on Djamshed Usmonov / Seth Graham, 221
IV. REFERENCE SECTION
Film-Makers’ Biographies / Gulnara Abikeyeva, 237
I. AT THE CINEMATIC CRADLE
1 Vostokkino and the foundation of Central Asian cinema / Gabrielle Chomentowski, 33
2 Birth, death and rebirth of a nation: national narrative in Uzbek feature films / Cloé Drieu, 45
3 The various births of Kazakh cinema / Bauyrzhan Nogerbek, 57
II. CINEMA IN THE SOVIET REPUBLICS OF CENTRAL ASIA
4 Landscape and loss: world war II in Central Asian cinema / Stephen M. Norris, 73
5 Fragments from the history of Turkmen cinema / Swetlana Slapke, 89
6 Bulat Mansurov's 'The contest in context' / Michael Rouland, 105
7 Tajik cinema at the end of the Soviet era / Sadullo Rakhimov, 115
8 A small history of Kyrgyz cinema / Joel Chapron, 127
9 Re-visions of 'The sky of our childhood' / Elena Stishova, 137
10 A 'Wild Kazakh boy': the cinema of Rashid Nugmanov / Vitaly Chernetsky, 147
III. THE ERA OF INDEPENDENCE
11 Cinematic nation-building in Kazakhstan / Gulnara Abikeyeva, 163
12 Aesthetic influences in young Kazakh cinema / Eugénie Zvonkine, 175
13 Growing up in Central Asian cinema / Birgit Beumers, 187
14 Kyrgyz cinema: an attempt at eternal breakthrough / Gulbara Tolomushova, 199
15 A view from Moscow: myths and realities of the Uzbek film boom / Daria Borisova, 211
16 Contemporary Tajik cinema in context: on Djamshed Usmonov / Seth Graham, 221
IV. REFERENCE SECTION
Film-Makers’ Biographies / Gulnara Abikeyeva, 237
