Askhat Kuchinchirekov on why the story in his debut film “Bauyryna Salu” submitted for Oscars is so touching

Kazakh director Askhat Kuchinchirekov shared how his debut film “Bauyryna Salu” was submitted for the Oscars and why it deserves to be included among the best films in the world, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

The director explained that the film explores an ancient Kazakh tradition where children are raised by elder relatives. While this custom is referenced in Kazakh culture, it has never been the central theme of a story.

Askhat Kuchinchirekov revealed that he was personally raised according to this tradition, having been sent to live with his grandmother at just one year and three months old, making this topic especially meaningful to him.

“Many children around the world are raised by their grandparents or other relatives, and this film resonates with their experiences. For us in Kazakhstan, this is especially important because most of us were brought up by our grandparents. We feel a warm sense of nostalgia when we think about it, which makes this story so touching,” the director explained.

Kuchinchirekov noted that the film draws from his own childhood experiences and life in his native village. The production took three years to complete, and it premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it placed fifth and earned a prestigious “Class A” world ranking. So far, the film has been featured in 17 film festivals, winning multiple awards, with Kuchinchirekov himself being recognized as Best Director and Screenwriter. The team's next goal is to secure a spot among the top 15 films in the world at the Oscars.

He also noted that international partners have already shown interest in the film’s production, and it has received high praise from international media. The director expressed his commitment to continuing his work and further advancing the art of filmmaking.

As a reminder, “Bauyryna Salu” won the top prize at the national Tulpar awards and was selected by the Kazakh Oscar Committee for the International Feature Film category. The American Academy’s voting process will occur in three stages: the shortlist will be announced on December 17, nominees will be revealed in January, and the final voting will take place from February 11 to 18.