Kyrgyz filmmaker Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi presented his latest feature, “Deal at the Border,” in the International Competition section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival. Set along the Kyrgyz–Kazakh border, the film follows two smugglers whose lives spiral into danger when they encounter a young girl fleeing human traffickers. This year, Ryskeldi attended the festival alongside Meerim Atantaeva, one of the lead actors in the film.
Ryskeldi graduated in 2010 with a degree in cinematography from a local university in Kyrgyzstan and initially worked as an executive manager in the cinema industry. He made his directorial debut in 2016 with “A Father’s Will,” which won Best Debut Film at the Montréal World Film Festival and screened at multiple international festivals, including the 2017 Fajr International Film Festival. His second feature, “The Road to Eden” (2020), was showcased online in the “Eastern Vista” section of Fajr during the COVID-19 era. “Deal at the Border” is his third independent film, continuing a unique streak in which all of his features have been consecutively invited to different editions of the Fajr International Film Festival.
In this interview, Ryskeldi reflects on his journey into filmmaking and his long-standing connection with the Fajr International Film Festival, which has consistently showcased his work across its editions.
Considering your academic background in cinematography, how do you think this field of study has influenced your aesthetic approach to filmmaking?
I have learned how to work effectively with images and gained full command over lighting scenes. Since becoming a director, I’ve been able to write scripts, create characters, and develop themes much more clearly. When writing scenes, the visuals appear in my mind, so in a way, I already see the film before shooting it.
Since this year’s festival focuses on poetic cinema, do you think your new film “Deal at the Border” falls within this category?
My film addresses sensitive social issues and depicts societal problems. At the core, these critical themes contain subtle poetic and literary elements.
Are you familiar with Iranian cinema and the works of filmmakers such as Abbas Kiarostami, Majid Majidi, and others?
Yes, I am very fond of Abbas Kiarostami’s cinema, especially his film “Taste of Cherry,” which is internationally acclaimed.
Which filmmakers have influenced the poetic aspect of your filmmaking the most?
In my first and second films, I was greatly influenced by international Asian filmmakers and Turkish directors, particularly Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The works of Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev have also influenced me. Of course, Kiarostami’s films influenced me as well. His characters are ordinary people, not stars, and live their lives calmly and quietly, resembling real life rather than staged acting.
How has Iranian cinema shaped your approach to realism and poetic details?
I have been significantly influenced by Iranian filmmakers. In many Iranian films, realism prevails while fantasy or illusion is minimal. Yet within these realistic settings, beautiful poetic details emerge. Directors like Reza Mirkarimi and Asghar Farhadi have also shaped my filmmaking style.
Are there any specific Iranian films that left a lasting impression on you?
About ten years ago, I saw a very compelling film, “Secret Ballot,” directed by Babak Payami. It tells the story of a young woman traveling to remote areas to encourage people to vote. A soldier accompanied her so they could collect ballots with a mobile voting box. In those regions, they encountered people who did not want to vote or did not know how. The film portrayed civic responsibility in a very human and realistic way.
Finally, what is your impression of the festival and the city of Shiraz?
This was my first time in Iran, and although I hadn’t visited the city fully, I noticed hardworking people and beautiful streets and buildings. Despite hearing about water shortages, there were many tall and lush trees throughout Shiraz. The festival venue was impressive and provided a very suitable space for such events. Overall, I had a very positive experience with both the city and the festival’s atmosphere.
