Film shot in Almaty set to premiere at Cannes Film Festival

The film's director, Ilya Vrey, is a Kazakhstan-born and UK-raised director, screenwriter, and actor, as well as a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and a Cambridge University Master’s program in screenwriting.

For me, this film is a love letter to my hometown. Growing up in Almaty, I moved to London in 2002. The last time I was back home was 15 years ago, and when I returned last autumn and saw it, I fell in love with Almaty all over again. When I walked along the streets of Almaty, my childhood that flooded back inspired this film. I cannot wait to return to Kazakhstan to work on new projects, said Ilya Vrey

Aryk! is a story about two teenagers, one of whom is obsessed with competition, while the other possesses natural talent. Racing bottle-cap boats through a city irrigation canal, they enter an exciting rivalry that gradually turns into a fast-paced chase through the streets of Almaty, and then goes beyond the city - toward nature and the unknown.

Filming for the movie Aryk! took place on locations at the Green Bazaar, the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, and Lake Issyk in Almaty region.

As a director, I've always wanted to tell a wide audience about our region and showcase the place where I was born. I got incredibly lucky with my team. I met the cinematographer, Daniil Gorskiy, at the Post Space film camp, and we decided to try our hand at creating a compelling film in the straight 8 format. We had only two shooting days and barely any sleep; we miraculously managed to film the final scene at the lake just minutes before sunset. I think the only thing that kept us going was the delicious samsa, said the director.

Straight 8 is an international short film competition founded in London in 1999. Its name refers to the Super 8 film format and a "straight" shooting technique - chronological and direct. Under competition rules, participants shoot on one Super 8 cartridge, with no re-takes, editing, or post-production. The entire visual structure is created in-camera, and creators see their work for the first time alongside the audience at the premiere, if selected.

Aryk! has made history as the sole Central Asian project selected for the top eight in the straight 8 competition and will premiere at Cannes' Cinema Olympia on May 16, before taking over the giant screen at London's BFI IMAX on May 23.

Earlier, Qazinform reported the jury has been announced for the Cannes Film Festival.