The film ‘Paralympian directed by Aldiyar Bayrakimov, shot with the assistance of the State Center for Support of National Cinema commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was awarded the prize “Best Male Role” at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival, which was held in the Indian city of Mumbai. The award was given to the performer of the main role Askar Ilyassov. 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival is traditionally held to promote the art of cinema, exchange cultural programs and form a common cinematic experience. This year, India held the festival as chairman of the SCO Council of Heads of State, and 57 films from 14 countries were presented in various festival programs.

 A large delegation from Kazakhstan, headed by the world-famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen, who joined the jury of the festival, also took part in the festival.

The plot of the film is based on real stories from the lives of paralympians, including the t champion of the Winter Paralympic Games Alexander Kolyadin, who won the Olympic Pyeongchang in 2018 the first in the history of Kazakhstan.

This is not the only award of the “Paralympian” – last year the film took two grand prix at film festivals in Russia. The film was released in domestic distribution in April last year.

- I feel very happy. This is my first individual award, and I was very touched that the work was appreciated. You work, you put your soul in it, and it comes back to you, – Askar Ilyassov shared his first impressions. – We had a mission: we wanted to talk about the Paralympians. In general, the film is about the triumph of the human spirit, behind which there is power.

The director of the film Aldiyar Bayrakimov stressed that only a few could play the main character, since the role is very difficult, requiring a large acting range, psychological and physical training.

- A worthy victory. For me, “Paralympian” is a special project that really tested me and everyone involved in it for strength, but despite all the difficulties and the fact that many in this project were debutants, the film was a successful, says Aldiyar Bayrakimov.  – The most important thing is that viewers change their attitude to Paralympic sports after watching it, get motivated and inspired. The “Paralympian” will forever remain in my heart and the hearts of our entire film crew.

Kazakh films “Dawn of the Great Steppe”, “Mukagali”, “Mom, I'm alive!”, “Ademoka’s Education” and “Hot Lake” also participated in the work of the last festival.  

02.02.2023