MOVIE NAME: PARADISE AT MOTHERS’ FEET
DIRECTOR: Ruslan Akun
WRITERS: Ruslan Akun, Emil Esenaliev
PRODUCER: Tugol Koichiev
GENRE: Drama
RUNNING TIME: 2H 25M
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Kyrgyzstan
LANGUAGES: Kirghiz, Arabic, Kazakh, Turkish, Uzbek
PROJECT TYPE: Feature Film
Key Cast
- Anarkul Nazarkulova
- Emil Esenaliev
- Bolot Tentimyshov
Ruslan Akun is an acclaimed Kyrgyz filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. He grew up in the town of Naryn near the Chinese border and came of age during Kyrgyzstan’s turbulent post-independence years, witnessing revolutions and social transformation that deeply influenced his cinematic voice.
He is internationally recognized for films such as Salam, New York (2013), Herding (2014), and Kok Boru: Time Persistent (2018). His short film Herding screened at over 50 international festivals, including Clermont-Ferrand, São Paulo, and Brussels.
Beyond narrative cinema, Akun has directed impactful educational films commissioned by the Swiss Red Cross, demonstrating measurable social impact. He has also produced prime-time political programs for Kyrgyz National Public Television. Akun holds a Bachelor’s degree from the American University of Central Asia and pursued a Master’s degree at the School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California (USC).
