Bratan

Especially for her exhibition 18,000 Worlds, Saodat Ismailova selected films that provide an impression of the unfortunately unknown, yet exceptional cinematic history of Central Asia. For many years, filmmakers had to tow the line with Soviet ideology. Within these constraints, they developed their own way of portraying their countries, stories and culture. This created a unique cinematic legacy, the majority of which has never been seen outside the former Soviet Union. This film programme is an ode to the inspiring filmmakers from the region who, despite all the challenges, always continued to make films.

About the film

17-year-old Farukh and seven-year-old Azamat are two brothers from a small town in Tajik town who were raised by their grandmother after their parents split up. They decide to travel to their father who works as a doctor at a sanatorium in a distant city. Their train journey across Tajikistan takes them through hills and mountains, cities and villages right through to the Afghan border.

The Tajik director managed to shoot this, his charming, subtly humorous debut with its amazing footage of a old locomotive puffing away whilst crossing the vast steppe-like landscape, on a shoestring budget.

Eye contributed to the digital restoration of Bratan and will release it later this year. This screening is the restoration’s pre-premiere.

Check out the exhibition page for the other audience programmes accompanying the exhibition and the screenings of Central Asian films. Films specially selected for 18,000 Worlds can also be viewed on the Eye Film Player.