Thursday, May 24, 2012

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Famed Kazakh Film Director Remakes Soviet Blockbuster

Director Rashid Nugmanov (left) and the late Russian rock singer Viktor Tsoi

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April 23, 2009

MOSCOW -- Prominent Kazakh film director Rashid Nugmanov has started work on a remake of one of his movies that was a huge hit during the Soviet era, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Nugmanov, 55, filmed the movie "Igla" (The Needle) at the KazakhFilm studios in Almaty in 1988.

It was hugely popular, largely thanks to the man playing the lead role, rock star Viktor Tsoi, and won several international awards.

Tsoi was killed in a traffic accident in 1989.

Some unused scenes with Tsoi will be used in Nugmanov's new movie, and many actors and actresses from the first film will also appear in the new version.

Nugmanov currently lives in France, where he heads the International Freedom Network, a think tank that fosters democracy in the former Soviet Union.

He is a critic of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

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by: Eshim from: Kyrgyzstan

April 24, 2009 05:23

It is interesting to know that Nugmanov lives in Paris and he is a critic of Nazarbaev. His organization is unknown in Central Asia and this is first time his name appears in media in such way.
How he is going to work on remake his old movie in such situation? I am affraid that Kazakh authorities are following or will follow him after this news even in Moscow and will do anything to influence hegatively to his plans.
But I wish him success!

by: The Kazakh from: KZ

May 06, 2009 04:37

Oh, I Like it so much - all these thinktanks, right defenders and activists, freedom & democracy fighters LIVING ABROAD!!! What is so prominent about them sitting there in warmth and safety singing lullabies to western audience - why not to fight for democracy at home?! Why not to show thier bravery to all these authorities here face to face? It's easy to blablabla

As for Nugmanov, and his outstanding work "Igla" movie - he's really respected and admired in Kazakhstan and CIS, his film became a real cult in the coutry. The fans (thousands of people of several generations) still pay tribute and honour to the movie, Viktor Tzoi, and outstanding rock music related to this movie and that time. It was a gulp of freedom and youth's will for changes...