Sat 09.11
15:30 - 17:05
Vika 4
Sun 10.11
18:00 - 19:35
Cinemateket Lillebil
Sat 16.11
20:45 - 22:20
Vika 3

With BIKECHESS, Assel Aushakimova delivers a dark, satirical drama about journalism, activism, family, and infidelity in contemporary Kazakhstan.

A journalist at national television, Dina, constantly reports on absurd and utopian, non-existent stories in the hope of praising the government and potentially being rewarded with a position in the ministry. Her love life is limited to a few secret meetings with her married cameraman. Additionally, Dina uses her connections to help her younger sister, an activist who frequently gets into trouble with the authorities.

Satire has always been a popular genre in countries experiencing Russian repression and living under de facto dictatorships, as it allows political issues to be discussed without risking reprisals from the regime.

Bikechess had its world premiere at Tribeca this year, where it won the award for Best international Film. The film offers an exciting and thought-provoking insight into Kazakh journalism, raising critical questions about the challenges faced by society, which journalists do not always dare to confront.

Maka Dolidze

Director

Assel Aushakimova (b. 1981) is a Kazakh director, screenwriter, and producer. Her first feature film, Welcome to the USA, was the first portrayal of an LGBTQ person in Kazakh cinema and premiered. Bikechess is her first feature film.

This film is part of

HORIZONS SØRFOND

Original title Велошах

Country Kazakhstan, Norway, France

Year 2023

Director Assel Aushakimova

Screenplay Assel Aushakimova

Cinematography Aidar Ospanov

Producer Almagul Tleukhanova, Antoine Simkine, Christian Fredrik Martin

Cast Saltanat Nauruz, Shyngys Beibituly, Assel Abdimavlenova, Duisenbek Atantayuli

Production Company Alma Pictures, Les Films d’Antoine, Maipo

Runtime 1h 35m

Language Russian

Subtitles English

Genre Comedy, Drama

Format DCP

Age limit 9

Links IMDb

This film is in competition for the Audience Award.

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