Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Film | THE DIVORCE: Capturing Epochal Changes in 10 Years

On the afternoon of June 16, the Kazakhstani film THE DIVORCE, nominated in the main competition unit of the Shanghai International Film Festival’s Golden Goblet Awards, convened its cast for a meeting. Director Daniyar Salamat, lead actor Yerbolat Alkozha, alongside film critic and publicity manager Gulnara Abikeyeva, gathered to attend the event.

Portray the transformative journey of female survival conditions

THE DIVORCE unfolds against the backdrop of the mid-1920s on the Kazakh grasslands, where Sarimsak, an ordinary Kazakh man, finds himself ostracized by his wife for his involvement in a theatrical performance opposing polygamy. He inadvertently uttered “Talaq” during a heated argument. As per local religious customs, saying it three times signifies divorce. Sarimsak, who never contemplated leaving his wife, desperately seeks solutions, while his wife, influenced by the burgeoning call for women’s liberation, entertains the idea of divorce.

Director Daniyar Salamat shared, “The conception and preparation of this film spanned a decade, embodying significant historical weight. Filming such subject matter required substantial financial backing, with a major portion sourced from national foundations.”

He aims to showcase through this film the profound changes undergone by individuals and families during this era, especially through the lens of female survival, allowing viewers to observe the contrast between the survival conditions of women during that period and today, as well as the evolving roles of women in societal life.

A traditional Kazakhstani woman, who for generations lived in polygamous households without any voice, suddenly hears someone say, “You should stand up now. You have a beautiful future ahead. You have the right to decide your fate. You can legitimately hope for monogamy.” Some women would be confused and some would be skeptical. Daniyar Salamat remarked, “However, on the other hand, the traditional norms in Kazakhstan at that time did not offer adequate protection for these women’s new aspirations.”

Frames and soundtrack informed by a Kazakhstani flavor

Actor Yerbolat Alkozha expressed that THE DIVORCE was a script tailored to fit him perfectly. “I first encountered this script ten years ago, and I was immediately drawn to it. From an acting perspective, I didn’t find any difficulties in completing this film,” he said. The biggest challenge in the movie came from his scenes opposite the female lead, where he needed to convey intense emotional outbursts, making it quite demanding.

Director Daniyar Salamat also expressed that his film not only portrays the experiences of women but also highlights the plight of helpless men. “In the movie, you can see the male lead doing everything that traditional women typically do, such as taking care of children and cooking. It can be said that my male lead has a gentle heart,” he further emphasized during an interview with reporters. “I want to stress that my film doesn’t particularly favor protecting any one gender; rather, it aims to protect the human spirit.”

Film critic and promoter Gulnara Abikeyeva concluded with high praise, noting that the film’s visuals and music are rich in Kazakhstani cultural elements. Through its imagery, viewers can see the grasslands, tents, and traditional Kazakhstani ethnic attire. The film’s music also prominently features traditional Kazakhstani musical instruments like the kobyz.