Bikechess

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