A boy, a bride, a war — and a love that never stood a chance.
In the 1940s, young Kirghiz boy falls hopelessly for Jamilla, but their love has no future.
Cinematography
Stunning Central Asian landscapes that ache with longing.
Acting
Linh-Dan Pham's luminous, heartbreaking stillness.
Score
Music that sounds like homesickness made audible.
Director
Monica Teuber
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Chingiz Aitmatov's beloved Soviet novella, considered the 'Romeo and Juliet' of Central Asian literature.
F. Murray Abraham bookends the film as older Seit — his mother was Italian, his father Syrian, making him weirdly perfect as the diasporic narrator.
KG
