Historical drama Kazakh film “Myn Bala” (2011) directed by Akan Satayev and starring Asylkhan Tolepov, Kuralai Anarbekova, Aliya Anuarbek among others.
Its a period movie, depicting the battle between the Kazakhs and the Dzungars way back in the 18th century. Sartai (Asylkhan Tolepov) as a young kid, sees his father and mother being killed by the Dzungars during one of their raid into the village.
Sartai escapes with his friends Taimas (Ayan Utepbergen) and Korlan (Kuralai Anarbekova) and the story shifts to ten years later when they are grown up and fighters to the battle now. Revenge is on their minds.
Sartai and friends go to meet another clan leader Rakhymjan (Toleubek Aralbai) and he instantly falls in love with his daughter Zere (Aliya Anuarbek). Meanwhile Sartai and his gang make sorties into the Dzungar camps and inflict heavy damages on them, including loss of life, horses and ammunition.
Dzungars declare war on the Kazakhs and mobilise 20,000 troops whereas the Kazakhs have only about 15,000 soldiers with them. Battle royale ensues in which heavy casualties occur including many of Sartai’s close friends also. In the end Kazakhs manage to bring down the Dzungars flag but at a heavy cost.
The camera work & cinematography is breathtaking because they have a wide open canvas to shoot with the mountains at the background and the steppes. Costume designing is out of the world because they have managed to get the authentic 18th century feel with their costumes which is rich in colour and design.
Of the cast, Kuralai Anarbekova carries herself with dignity, Asylkhan Tolepov and Aliya Anuarbek are okay in their roles while many of the minor characters have acted quite well. Their acting is quite natural in the circumstances of the narrative. IMDB 5/10