Kyrgyz awards nominee ‘Black Red Yellow’ weaves a tale of forbidden love

The director and cast members of the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition nominee "Black Red Yellow" shared the ideas behind their creation with media at the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival. 

A production of Kyrgyzstan, the film is a poetic narration of a veteran carpet weaver's forbidden love with a man, and the farewell and regrets she experiences after her encounter.  

The carpet weaving art in Kyrgyzstan has a long and legendary history and is also an indispensable part of local people's culture and lives. 

The protagonist has spent a long time in solitude working her craft. Her belated emotions quietly sprout, but they end with a silent farewell, leaving behind an unfinished carpet interwoven with black, red and yellow. 

The film's director Aktan Arym Kubat is one of the most internationally influential filmmakers in Central Asia, widely known for his poetic cinematic style. 

The film maintains this style, using black mountains, green waters, yellow soil and red lines to recount a touching emotional chapter that transcends time. 

Director Kubat was a jury president for the festival's Asian New Talent category two years ago. But this is the first time he has brought his own film to compete in the festival. 

In explaining the title of the film, he said that black is the colour of the land and is a symbol of men, while the emotional red is a symbol of women. Yellow, in his view, represents love and it is the colour of the sun. 

Just like the sun, love is also glowing, and it lights up people's lives," Kubat added. 

He also spoke highly of the film festival's organization, adding that he is considering cooperating with Chinese filmmakers on ensuing projects. 

It is the first time for Nargiza Mamatkulova to star in a feature film. She specially learned carpet weaving skills for her leading role and benefitted from the trust and freedom director Kubat gave her. 

"Kyrgyzstan is a country with rich culture," said Mamatkulova. "The film is also a showcase of our culture and voices."

Actress Aigul Busurmankulova has abundant acting experience on stage but starring in a film such as this is quite different for her.  "Detailed facial expression and physical postures were required to express the character's emotions," the actress said.