Locarno Film Festival 2024
Darkhan, a young scientist, returns home after a seven-year absence, accompanied by his girlfriend Elena. His grandfather Sagat invites them to join him on a journey to his ancestral homeland far inland. As they embark on this transformative trip, all three must confront the challenges of acceptance and understanding, testing the bonds that connect them.
Aruan Anartayev is a film director and producer based in Central Asia, Kazakhstan. Since 2017, Aruan has worked as an executive producer at the documentary film studio Tihiy Svet in Almaty. Joqtau is his debut feature.
Parallax Films