Darezhan Omirbayev Double-Bill: Killer (Kazakhstan, 1998)

Winner of Un Certain Regard at Cannes 1998

After completing his military service, Marat returns to Kazakhstan and starts working as a chauffeur for a famous scientist. One day, he accidentally crashes into a Mercedes belonging to a local gangster, who demands an immediate payment. To pay back the damages, Marat borrows money from an oligarch, triggering a never-ending chain of loans and crimes.

Inspired in equal measure by Robert Bresson’s L’Argent and Leo Tolstoy’s novella The Forged Coupon, Killer is legendary Kazakh New Wave director Darezhan Omirbayev’s third feature and a clear nod to film noir, with its philosophical undertones, a focus on the criminal underbelly of a transforming megapolis, and a brooding, laconic protagonist played by the incredible Talgat Assetov.

Samizdat is supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI.

Accessibility

English subtitles, SDH captions

Financial support to attend the festival is available to eligible applicants via Samizdat's Access Fund.

Content notes: violence, death, infant illness.

Access notes: occasional loud noises.