KAZAKHSTAN: Nomad (Kochevnik). 2004

Director: Sergei Bodrov, Ivan Passer.
Stars: Kuno Becker, Jay Hernandez, Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos, Doskhan Zholzhaksynov, Ayana Yesmagambetova.
Release date: ???
Length: ???




Where is this film? Its had a troubled life with bad weather during filming & financial difficulties. This resulted in the original director unable to finish the film, due to the lengthy break between the extended shoot & prior commitments. They rushed a copy to screen at the Cannes Film Festival last year, then no more word. Was it really that bad that it sunk? The Weinsteins aka Miramax bought the US rights & are probably still butchering up an American friendly edit. They were going to spend 20million on publicity. Still can't even find a review for it online.

The Kazakhstani president Nursultan Nazarbayev apparently wasn't impressed with the film. Though that may be due to political or historical reasons. It stars A-grade Kazakh actors, but B-grade US ones. It shoud've been filled with just Kazakhstani talent, so I am getting the impression that it will be in English due to the inclusion of US actors.
Lets wait & see.

This US$40 million adventure film is based on the life of Ablai Khan, a descendant of Ghenghis Khan and a famous historical Kazakhstan figure who united the three Kazakh hordes: Ulu Zhuz, Orta Zhuz and Kichi Zhuz (the Great Hundred, the Middle Hundred and the Small Hundred).

Synopsis
18th century Kazakhstan, a vast, pitiless region of austere and terrible beauty, bordered by China, Russia and Tibet. Here the proud and warlike Kazakh tribes have survived and fought for centuries - against invaders, against their formidable Jungar enemies and amongst themselves. Oraz, a mystic and warrior possessed of great powers, foretells the birth of a new star, a hero. This boy -Mansur - is destined to unite the Kazakhs, and lead them to glorious victory against their enemies. Fearful of Oraz' prediction, the Jungar ruler Galdan orders his General, Sharish, to find the child and slay him. However, Oraz saves Mansur and delivers him to his father, Sultan Wali.

• Trailer