Eldiar Madakim: “Cinema has become a powerful means of culture, education, leisure and propaganda. Cinema is a reflection of society, both present and past. Movies can also educate.”
Director, writer, editor and producer Eldiar Madakim, born Osh, Kyrgyzstan March 27 1988, began his career in the film industry as a production designer. He graduated from the Academy of Art named after Turgunbai Sydykov, in which he holds a degree in Ceramic Artist. Since 2003, he has worked in film studios Oimo, Toguz – Ak, Ernest Adzhyparov’s Studio and Kyrgyzfilm. In 2012, he graduated from the Kyrgyz State University of Construction and Architecture with a degree in Digital Designer.
He is an editor and color-grading specialist for more than 500 films and video productions of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Armenia etc. Most of these films have been awarded in international festivals and distributed world-wide. Multiple winner of International film festivals and Ak Ilbirs National Film Award for “Best Editing” and “Best Production Designer”.
He is currently the director of the Aitysh Film Studio. Film “Salvador Dali” is his debut as a director. He is also the scriptwriter, editor and producer of this film.
What prompted you to make this film?
The beautiful nature of my Motherland, crystal clear mountain waterfalls, simplicity of the local people, and their high humanity have developed in me artistic taste. And, of course, my grandmother’s colorful handicrafts, her multi-colored felt crafts – sparked my interest in art and inspired my creativity. The film tells about my childhood in the highlands of Kyrgyzstan and is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother.
How was shooting in the snow? What kind of difficulties do you encounter with that type of climate?
The shooting was very easy and fun. Since we live in such a place that many consider Kyrgyzstan a paradise on earth, we have four periods: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Usually in mountainous areas snowy and cold. Difficulties during filming were only when Orozbek (main character) fell into the river, it was -15 degrees, but the actor Damir Nurmamatov did three takes, he fell into cold water three times, I will express my special gratitude to him!
Is it difficult for children like Orozbek, who live in remote areas, to access university and obtain higher education?
In our village where I grew up, it is already easy for children to go to school, because there is a bridge and an asphalt road in the river, a new 2-storey school opened this year, and all this is thanks to my uncle Abdyrahman Mamataliev. Now the 21st century, you can go to university everywhere, even abroad, depends only on the person. Higher education makes people healthier and more developed. Training helps a person in all spheres of life.
What prompted you to choose cinema as an expressive medium? What do you think are the responsibilities of a director towards the society he inhabits?
Cinema has become a powerful means of culture, education, leisure and propaganda. Cinema is a reflection of society, both present and past. Movies can also educate. They tell us things we may not know and give us the opportunity to explore the past, present and future. I think directors should keep an eye on the surrounding society and show their heroes to the world community.
Can you tell us about your future film projects?
Yes, I plan to shoot a full-length feature film, we have already finished the script. “The sun has not finished its self-portrait” is a story written by the People’s Writer of Kyrgyzstan Kubatbek Zhusubaliev. The main problem of mankind is war. War kills thousands of people, maims and torments millions of people, makes their children orphans, blisters and cruel. This film shows the effect of war on people. Raman is also a “child of war,” as his grandmother used to say. He has neither father nor mother. He grows in the arms of his grandmother. As much as her grandmother loves her, she longs for her father.
THE AUTHOR
Name: Eldiar Madakim
Project: Salvador Dali – Music Video
