Adopted Son

There is a tradition in ancient Kyrgyzstan whereby parents of a large family offer their baby to a childless couple. In a time-honored ritual, five elderly women pass the baby over their bent knees and pronounce it "Beshkempir". Azate is one such baby.

Now an adolescent, Azate shares a close and loving relationship with his family. He spends his free time joining the other village boys in their high spirited antics - wrestling in mud and spying on women in various states of undress. Becoming aware of his budding sexuality, Azate catches the eye of a girl he meets at the local outdoor film screening. Soon the two are hanging out together, taking long walks and discussing their hopes for the future.

Life runs more or less smoothly for Azate until the day he finds out that he is adopted - a revelation that turns his world upside down. An expressive and breathtaking film, Adopted Son is both a celebration of local and regional idiosyncrasies, and a look at the universal experiences of adolescence.

Award Winner
Locarno, Troia, Singapore, Eurasia, Viennale, Tokyo, Cottbus and Gijon Film Festivals

"This is a rare, poetic treat."

"a gentle touching film"

Aktan Abdikalikov is a graduate of the Kyrgyzstan Art Institute. His short documentary "A Dog Was Running" won the grand prize at the Bakou film festival. The Adopted Son is his first feature film debut.