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EXCLUSIVE: New York-based production and distribution company Willa has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Bauryna Salu, Kazakhstan’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar race. The company is planning a theatrical and streaming release in 2025.
Written and directed by Askhat Kuchinchirekov, the film stars a breakthrough ensemble cast led by Yersultan Yerman, Aidos Auesbay, Bigaysha Salkyn, Dinara Shymyrbay, Damir Daurenuly and Yerkin Berikuly.
In Kazakhstan, the ancient nomadic tradition of “Bauryna Salu” dictates that first-born children are given to their grandparents to be raised, far from their biological parents. The film follows Yersultan, who is sent to live with his grandmother from birth, growing up in her care while feeling increasingly abandoned by the parents who gave him away.
Though Yersultan forms a deep bond with his grandmother, he remains emotionally distant from his parents, struggling with feelings of resentment and disconnection. But at age 12, his world is shattered by the death of his grandmother, forcing him to leave the only home he’s ever known and return to live with a family he barely recognizes as his own.
As Yersultan navigates the transition, the film explores his journey of grief and isolation, set against the backdrop of a strained relationship with his father. Through the pain of loss and the challenges of a fractured family, Yersultan embarks on a journey of self-discovery, attempting to mend the broken ties with his father and find his place within a family from whom he once felt so distant.
Bauryna Salu ran in the New Directors strand of the San Sebastián Film Festival. Prizes it has picked up include Best Youth Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards; Kazakhstan’s Tulpar National Film Award for Best Film; Best Film at the Baku International Film Festival; Best Director and Best Actor at the Bishkek International Film Festival; the Special Jury Prize at the Festival of African, Asian and Latin American Films; and Best Film at the Helmat Film Festival.
This is the latest acquisition for Willa’s expanding distribution division, backed by Sundance Institute’s Catalyst fellowship on Future Models in Distribution.
Willa founder and CEO Elizabeth Woodward comments, “Willa is thrilled to bring Bauryna Salu to audiences, as it resonates deeply with our commitment to amplifying culturally rich, socially important stories. Askhat Kuchinchirekov’s story of Yersultan’s journey through the tradition of ‘bauryna salu’ transcends borders, enriching the global dialogue on family, loss, identity and tradition. We are proud that Kazakhstan has chosen the film as this year’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature.”
Says Kuchinchirekov, “Bauryna Salu is a story close to my heart, inspired by a Kazakh tradition I experienced firsthand. With Yersultan’s story, I wanted to delve into the bonds of family and the quest for belonging that many will recognize, even within this distinct cultural practice. I’m excited to collaborate with Willa. Their support in bringing my film to screens worldwide helps bridge our cultural landscape with others, creating a space where our shared human experiences can resonate deeply.”
