ALA KACHUU – Take and Run, tells the story of a young Kyrgyz woman who becomes a victim of bride kidnapping. Although this custom is forbidden by law in Kyrgyzstan, it is still widespread in other regions of the world under the guise of tradition. Only a few girls are able to escape marriage after being kidnapped. Many accept their fate for fear of being rejected and ostracized.
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2020ALA KACHUU – Take and Run, tells the story of a young Kyrgyz woman who becomes a victim of bride kidnapping. Although this custom is forbidden by law in Kyrgyzstan, it is still widespread in other regions of the world under the guise of tradition. Only a few girls are able to escape marriage after being kidnapped. Many accept their fate for fear of being rejected and ostracized.
The film is based on the true fates of young women who confided their experiences to me during my many years of research. I am convinced that the stories of these women deserve attention. As a filmmaker, I want to contribute to society’s awareness of women’s rights and be a voice for those who are rarely heard. The Kyrgyz name for bride kidnapping is “Ala Kachuu.” My goal was to depict the usual sequence of events, but with a strong character who has the courage to stand up for herself.
Producing the film in a foreign country was a great adventure. In addition to the language barrier, it was also a matter of bringing together two completely different cultures. The respectful interaction, the intercultural team spirit and the openness of the Kyrgyz impressed me deeply and led to one of the most valuable experiences in my life. (Source: Ala Kachuu Website, Director note)
Maria Brendle is an award-winning director and screenwriter from Zurich, Switzerland. She received her bachelor’s degree in film from the Zurich University of the Arts and her master’s degree in cognitive neuroscience (aon) from the Academy of Neuroscience Cologne. Maria graduated from the renowned Drehbuchwerkstatt Munich. She works with a focus on women’s issues. www.maria-brendle.de
Awards
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM, 45th Cleveland International Film Festival
BEST SHORT FILM, 42nd Durban International Film Festival
THE MARLYN MASON AWARD – First Prize, 38th Flickers’ Rhode Island Film Festival, New voices, new perspectives of women in film.
SHORT PLUS AWARD, 15th Five Lakes Film Festival 2021
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT, 4th Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival 2020
PUBLIC AWARD, DC Shorts International Film Festival 2021
THE GRAND PRIX GOLDEN BEGGAR (production company), 27th Golden Beggar International Film Festival
AWARD FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE, 19th Accolade Global Film Competition
BEST SHORT FILM, 12th One Country One Film Apchat-Issoire International Film Festival
BEST FILMMAKER, 4th Cordillera International Film Festival
BEST SHORT FILM, 8th Mind The Indie Film Festival, Bulgaria
BEST NARRATOR SHORT, 7th Sydney World Film Festival
BEST DRAMA SHORT, 4th Stockholm Independent Film Festival
BEST NARRATION SHORT, New Jersey Independent Film Festival
BEST PROPERTIES, 16th Vancouver International Women in Film Festival
BEST DIRECTION, 16th Vancouver International Women in Film Festival
BEST PERFORMANCE, Alina Turdumamatova, 16th Vancouver International Women in Film Festival
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM, 41st Brussels Independent Film Festival
BESTER FILM, Toronto Feedback Female Film Festival
Listen to the festival interview with our director Maria Brendle
Watch the FEEDBACK video from the audience (scroll down in the interview)
BEST NARRATOR FILM, 7th Hong Kong Arthouse Film Festival, Hong Kong
BEST FILMMAKER, 4th Moscow Indie Film Festival
BEST MEDIUM-LENGTH FILM, 3rd Amazing Shorts and Films! Film Festival
BEST DIRECTION, in medium length film, 3rd Amazing Shorts & Movies! Filmfest
BEST SCREEN PLAY, in medium-length film, 3rd Amazing Shorts & Movies! Filmfest
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, in medium-length film
3rd Amazing Shorts & Movies! Film Festival
BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORT ROLE, in medium-length film: ALINA TURDUMAMATOVA, 3rd Amazing Shorts & Movies! Film Festival
BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORT ROLE, in: medium-length film: NURBEK ESENGAZY UULU, 3rd Amazing Shorts & Movies! Film Festival
BEST NARRATOR, 6th Boston Short Film Festival, Boston, USA
BEST DIRECTOR, 11th Bridges International Film Festival
PLANTINUM REMI, 54th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
BEST SHORT FILM, OTB Only The Best International Film Awards
FOURTH FINALIST, 10th LASA International Film Festival
HONORABLE JURY AWARD, 9th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival
HONORABLE JURY, 16th Cyprus International Film Festival
BEST FICTION, The 4th Izmit International Short Film Festival
BEST NARRATION SHORT FILM, 1st Bruges International Film Festival
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD BEST CELEBRATION, 4th San Diego Women’s Film Festival
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, 6th Imagine This Women’s Film Festival
BEST SHORT FILM, Oberschwaben Film Festival
PUBLIC AWARD – BEST SHORT FILM, 13th Naples International Film Festival
NARRATION SHORT, 22nd Newport Beach Film Festival
Director: Maria Brendle
Camera: Gabriel Sandru
Gaffer: Silvia “Fafa” Fierz. Sound editor: Ivo Schläpfer. 1st assistant director: Cosima Frei. Production coordinator: Nadine Boller. Make-up: Cholpon Saitova. Costume: Fatima Kacyvova. Production Design – Elchibek Shamenov. Edit: Luca Zuberbühler. Music Composer: Martin Skalsky. Sound design: Michael Duss, Triplet Studios. Color grading: Jürgen Kupka, Unsere Farben. Production: Nadine Lüchinger, Flavio Gerber. Co-production:Martin Skalsky, Buzzinho Codestar Productions GmbH.
Performers:
Sezim – Alina Turdumamatova
Dayrbek – Nurbek Esengazy Uulu
Aksana – Madina Talipbekova
Sezim of the mother – Taalaykan Abazova
Sezim the father – Kanat Abdahmanov
Sezim sister – Aybike Erkinbekova
Grandmother – Jandat Djamanbaeva
Dayrbek the mother – Sheker Joomartova
Father’s Dayrbek – Ruslan Orozakunov
Aunt – Jyldyz Mikieva
Goat – Karagat
