09-07-2009

Karlovy Vary East of the West: Native Dancer

    Kazakh director Guka Omarova pits mysterious traditions against modern corruption in her second feature film Native Dancer, which competes in the East of the West section at Karlovy Vary.

    Omarova made an impressive debut in 2004 with Schizo, which screened in Un Certain Regard at Cannes. The film won the Grand Prix at Cottbus and a best director award at Coppenhagen, among other recognitions. While Schizo (also titled The Recruiter) had a 15-year-old boy at its center, Native Dancer delves into the world of an elderly woman who engages in magical shaman practices. Native Dancer was nominated in the editing category for the Asian Film Awards. It screened at numerous festivals, including Toronto, Rotterdam, Palm Springs, Stockholm, and Rome.

    Omarova once again works with Sergei Bodrov, who takes on the roles of co-writer (along with the director) and producer. She appeared at age 16 in a film directed by Bodrov, and in 2001 earned a story credit on Sisters, a film directed by Bodrov's son. In between her first and second feature, she was assistant director and casting director on Bodrov's epic Mongol. She studied journalism and documentary filmmaking and resides in the Netherlands.

    Contact Information:

    Production companies:

    CTB Film Company (www.ctb.ru)

    Kamennostrovskiy Prospect 10
    St. Petersburg, Russia 197101
    E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Kazakhfilm

    16 Al-Farabi Ave

    480067 Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Tel. +7 3272 48 22 11

    Les Petites Lumieres

    www.petiteslumieres.com

    Kinofabrika GmbH

    www.kinofabrika.net

    International Sales:

    Fortissimo Film Sales
    Van Diemenstraat 200 , 1013 CP Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Tel: +31 20 627 3215
    Fax: +31 20 626 1155
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    www.fortissimofilms.com

    Last modified on 30-10-2009