Chingiz Aitmatov’s Story: A Kids’ Documentary Premiere in Bishkek
Bishkek, February 13, 2025 – The first documentary film for children about Chingiz Aitmatov was recently presented in Kyrgyzstan. The Russian House in Bishkek reported that the National Center for Children and Youth Seytek hosted a screening of the documentary titled “The Riddles of the White Steamship”. This documentary is the diploma project of Amina Kurenkeeva, a master’s student at the Higher School of Journalism and Mass Communications at St. Petersburg State University, as part of the program “Author’s Audiovisual Project”.
The film showcases a unique collaboration between young Kyrgyzstanis who became co-authors of the project. The participants of the film, children of school and preschool age, delved into Chingiz Aitmatov’s work “The White Steamship” and had the opportunity to engage with the writer’s sister Roza Aitmatova, his son Eldar Aitmatov, the cameraman of the film “The White Steamship” Manasbek Musayev, and Professor Leonid Sumarokov from KRSU, a co-author of the monograph “Chingiz Aitmatov – a Man-Universe”. The film explores interesting facts about the creation of the book “The White Steamship”, its film adaptation, and the life of the author himself.
Following the screening, a discussion took place where the director and experts fielded questions from the young viewers. The authors of the most engaging questions were awarded prizes for their curiosity and engagement. This documentary film was specifically produced to coincide with the 55th anniversary of the publication of Chingiz Aitmatov’s story “The White Steamship” in the magazine “Novy Mir”.
The documentary film not only sheds light on the literary legacy of Chingiz Aitmatov but also serves as a platform for young minds to explore and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan. This collaborative effort between the filmmaker, children, and experts marks a significant milestone in documentary filmmaking, fostering cultural exchange and understanding between countries.
