The Adopted Son
1999·Drama·1h 21m
7.1
★
In a remote Kyrgyz village, Beshkempir, an infant foundling, is taken in by five older women and later adopted by a couple unable to bear children of their own. Fast forward to his early teenage years, a pubescent Beshkempir is faced with all the problems of crushing on girls and courtship, reconciling with friends and dealing with death in the family. Above all he questions his place in the world as an adoptee.
Directed by Aktan Arym Kubat
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Mirlan Abdykalykov
Beshkempir
Albina Imasheva
Aynura
Crew
Aktan Arym Kubat
Director
Marat Sarulu
Writer
Aktan Arym Kubat
Writer
Frédérique Dumas-Zajdela
Producer
Popular Reviews
4 reviews
Stevie Mallia
6.0★ · 02/04/26
Always intersting to see coming of age in another culture and country entirely. Very interesting choice to splash color in key points of this primarily B& W film.
Stevie's Fill in the Map Journey: Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🐦Movie Birding🐦
Mourning dove
Hoopoe!!!
Stevie's Fill in the Map Journey: Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🐦Movie Birding🐦
Mourning dove
Hoopoe!!!
Always intersting to see coming of age in another culture and country entirely. Very interesting choice to splash color in key points of this primarily B& W film.
Stevie's Fill in the Map Journey: Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🐦Movie Birding🐦
Mourning dove
Hoopoe!!!
Stevie's Fill in the Map Journey: Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
🐦Movie Birding🐦
Mourning dove
Hoopoe!!!
Zoë Westlund
7.0★ · 11/07/24
An interesting coming-of-age film, and although I dislike the film’s flippant attitude to the toxic behavior the boys grow up exhibiting, I still think it’s incredibly strong and poignant. If I was less sleep-deprived, I would probably have something intelligent to say about the bird metaphor throughout this movie, but I suppose that will be for someone else to point out.
An interesting coming-of-age film, and although I dislike the film’s flippant attitude to the toxic behavior the boys grow up exhibiting, I still think it’s incredibly strong and poignant. If I was less sleep-deprived, I would probably have something intelligent to say about the bird metaphor throughout this movie, but I suppose that will be for someone else to point out.
Mackenzie Manua
3.6★ · 03/23/24
30 FOREIGN FILMS IN MARCHPIT STOP 19: KYRGYZSTAN
A more subtle coming of age story is not what I was expecting but there were parts of it which I enjoyed. A story of friendship, grief and curiosity done through topics of sexual nature, adoption and a death. Being a pre teen and coming to realisations that are life changing at that age dawn on you and leave you with a sense of doubt of your position and having to leave to get a clear understanding was done well. The black and white contrasting at times with colour I think helped show the beauty of various shots. The culturally traditional ceremonies and ways of grieving were something which I felt very connected to and was interested in seeing. The line in the beginning “Your feet on the ground and hands in the sky bring us joy” was such a beautiful quote which stuck with me. The score along with costuming felt very genuine and helped get a better understanding into what may be of a traditional life in Kyrgyzstan.
A more subtle coming of age story is not what I was expecting but there were parts of it which I enjoyed. A story of friendship, grief and curiosity done through topics of sexual nature, adoption and a death. Being a pre teen and coming to realisations that are life changing at that age dawn on you and leave you with a sense of doubt of your position and having to leave to get a clear understanding was done well. The black and white contrasting at times with colour I think helped show the beauty of various shots. The culturally traditional ceremonies and ways of grieving were something which I felt very connected to and was interested in seeing. The line in the beginning “Your feet on the ground and hands in the sky bring us joy” was such a beautiful quote which stuck with me. The score along with costuming felt very genuine and helped get a better understanding into what may be of a traditional life in Kyrgyzstan.
30 FOREIGN FILMS IN MARCHPIT STOP 19: KYRGYZSTAN
A more subtle coming of age story is not what I was expecting but there were parts of it which I enjoyed. A story of friendship, grief and curiosity done through topics of sexual nature, adoption and a death. Being a pre teen and coming to realisations that are life changing at that age dawn on you and leave you with a sense of doubt of your position and having to leave to get a clear understanding was done well. The black and white contrasting at times with colour I think helped show the beauty of various shots. The culturally traditional ceremonies and ways of grieving were something which I felt very connected to and was interested in seeing. The line in the beginning “Your feet on the ground and hands in the sky bring us joy” was such a beautiful quote which stuck with me. The score along with costuming felt very genuine and helped get a better understanding into what may be of a traditional life in Kyrgyzstan.
A more subtle coming of age story is not what I was expecting but there were parts of it which I enjoyed. A story of friendship, grief and curiosity done through topics of sexual nature, adoption and a death. Being a pre teen and coming to realisations that are life changing at that age dawn on you and leave you with a sense of doubt of your position and having to leave to get a clear understanding was done well. The black and white contrasting at times with colour I think helped show the beauty of various shots. The culturally traditional ceremonies and ways of grieving were something which I felt very connected to and was interested in seeing. The line in the beginning “Your feet on the ground and hands in the sky bring us joy” was such a beautiful quote which stuck with me. The score along with costuming felt very genuine and helped get a better understanding into what may be of a traditional life in Kyrgyzstan.
Kris
10.0★ · 08/19/21
Kris
10.0★ · 08/19/21