by Aibek Dairbekov

Kyrgyzstan, Russia | 2018 | Color | ENG subtitles |93’| DCP | Cinemascope |24 fps-5:1 | Kyrgyz

is a film about the love between a boy and a girl, a

mother and her son and a man and his homeland. It is adapted from real stories that my grandmother used to tell me when I was a child. Mankind does not change through the centuries - men have the same feelings of love, hate, envy, pride or self-sacrifice now and few hundred years ago. The film doesn’t not use a lot of special effects but confides instead in the power of music.

Songs are used when words are lacking Aibek Dairbekov

Official trailer: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WEEWO1x8Ux94rY257VXV7TOk65HdrimW

Official soundtrack: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WEEWO1x8Ux94rY257VXV7TOk65HdrimW

Stills: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S2cTrqEAFI4Gm9NJUY8A2s3mBQyGMjz6

www.songoftree.com

AIBEK DAIYRBEKOV Date of Birth: May 16, 1979

Graduated from film directors’ courses organized by the Cinematography Development Foundation of Kyrgyzstan, 2007-2008

Graduated from the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagun, faculty of journalism, specialization: TV journalist, 1997-2002

Graduated from the technical vocational school №94, specialization: art-photographer, 1995-1996

Participated at Berlinale Talent Campus at 58th Berlin International Film Festival, 2008

Filmography: Feature film “The Song of the Tree”, (Kyrgyzstan-Russia), scriptwriter and director, 2018 Short film “Boat”, (Kazahstan-Kyrgyzstan), writer and director, 2016 TV series “Man history” (Kazahstan), director, 2013 Short film “Three in the rain”, (Kazahstan-Kyrgyzstan), writer and director, 2011 TV series “Janym” (Kazahstan), 2010 Short film “Tree” (Tajikistan), scriptwriter, director, 2008 Short film “The Shore” (Kyrgyzstan), scriptwriter, director, producer, 2006

Director: Aibek Daiyrbekov Producers: Tolkun Daiyrbekova Andrei Epifanov Tanya Petrik Writers: Aibek Daiyrbekov Sadyk Sher-Niyaz Director of photography: Akzol Bekbolotov Production designer: Maksat Bolotbekov Composer: Zholdoshbek Apasov Director of sound: Bakyt Niyazaliev

Supervising sound editor: Evgeniy Goryainov Editors: Eldiar Madakim Olga Grinshpun Costume designers: Aidai Asangulova Nurjamal Asangulova Doolot Rysbaev Make-up artist: Cholpon Saitova Lyrics by: Baktygul Choturova Stunt coordinator: Rahatbek Berdikeev Executive producers: Suium Sulaimanova Jyrgalbek Duisheev

Oguz Jurduzbek Kaseivov Dariika Taalaykan Abazova Kebek Ulan Nusipali Asan Adilet Usubaliev Uulke Aisalkyn Kyiykbaeva Hunter Ilim Kalmuratov Shamen Jenish Smanov Baiysh Almaz Bekbotoev Begimay’s sister Madia Talipbek Guest ruler Busurmankul Odurakaev Ruler of hunter Egemberdi Bekboliev Herdsman Ruslan Kurmanaliev

Begimai Saltanat Bakaeva

Esen Omurbek Izrailov

Bazarbai Temirlan Smanbekov

, a mother of Asan and Esen, often comes to an old big tree. She feels a sacramental nature of the holy place like nobody else in the area as the tree is keeping secrets of numerous generations with care. Dariika`s youngest son Esen is friends with Begimai, Bazarbai`s daughter. Bazarbai is a ‘bai’ (a rich landowner or cattle-breeder in Central Asia) in a small nomads’ village. People enjoy life, sing songs, get married, and give birth to children there. Oguz, a young ‘jigit’ (a skilled horseman), also seeks Begimai`s favor. Having cheated Oguz wins a kok-boru competition (a goat-carcass polo) and becomes a leading jigit in Bazarbai`s village. Esen feels insulted by the unfair loss longing to take revenge on the offender. Esen steals ‘oochew’ (the best part of horse meat) cooked especially for guests and gives it to his dog. This makes his brother Asan send Esen away from the village in a cruel way. Bagimai follows her beloved. However, Oguz catches up with Esen and beats him almost to death. Bazarbai`s eldest daughter gets married to a wealthy man. It will be a disgrace to Bazarbai if he does not serve meat to his guests. When Bazarbai is informed that there is no firewood left, he gets very angry and orders the old sacred tree, the only one available in the area, to be cut down. After Bazarbai orders the sacred tree to be cut down, everything changes overnight, there come times of chaos and hostility. Cattle perish. The sacred tree Mazar administers its punishment. Esen is to have a fight with his old rival Oguz to restore a former quiet life in his home village and mountains.

talks about the life and tragedy of a Kyrgyz village, focusing on a

simple young guy Esen who falls in love with Begimai, the daughter of a local lord. The dishonest tricks of his rival force Esen to take revenge. His anger results in a tragedy – destruction of a sacred totem tree. Hard trials are coming for everyone. Being expelled from his native village, he takes Begimai with him, but is overtaken and beaten almost to death. Esen is destined to find himself and his fate in order to reunite his people.

Cinema Escapist US Website

https://www.cinemaescapist.com/2018/10/review-song-of-tree-kyrgyzstan-

musical-movie/

Parole e Colori Italy Website http://paroleacolori.com/the-song-of-

the-tree-cera-una-volta-in-un-villaggio-nella-steppa/

Vero Cinema Italy Website http://verocinema.com/2018/10/05/busan

-2018-song-of-the-tree/

Bulles de Culture France Website http://bullesdeculture.com/2018/10/news-cinema-trailer-the-song-of-the-tree-

aibek-dayyrbekov.html

La Colina de Raven Spain Website https://lacolinaderaven.wordpress.com/2018/10/06/the-enigma-of-arrival-y-su-

drama-juvenil/

Mtime China Website

http://news.mtime.com/2018/10/07/1584866.html

Weibo Account of Luke Miao, Chief Editor of World Movie Report (Film Magazine on CCTV6) 1

China Weibo Post https://m.weibo.cn/detail/429243024318

8563?display=0&retcode=6102

Weibo Account of Luke Miao, Chief Editor of World Movie Report (Film Magazine on CCTV6) 2

China Weibo Post

https://m.weibo.cn/status/4292431450732461?sourceType=weixin&from=108A095010&wm=9856_0004&featurecode=newtitle&dis

play=0&retcode=6102

Douban China Website https://movie.douban.com/subject/30319

547/

Dianying Liao Yang Yuan China Wechat Account https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zrtXKWBtYtr

T7UoLgpAN-A

Asian Movie Pulses English Website https://asianmoviepulse.com/2018/10/film-review-the-song-of-the-tree-2018-

by-aibek-daiyrbekov/

Beijing Youth Daily Chinese Wechat Account https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/mobjFmPdzqu

3RVylYqMnRg

is based on real events that took place in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan at the end of the 18th century with the ancestors of the director. During the famine in Kazakhstan their family migrated to Kyrgyzstan, but they were not allowed to put a yurt nowhere. They wandered until misfortune happened in one village. To avoid war, the head of the family sacrificed his life in exchange for having his family taken in and giving them shelter. The shooting took place in that exactly area, high in mountains, 4500 meters above sea level, where the tragic events occurred. The residents of local villages were filmed in crowd scenes.

for the film young Kyrgyz composer Zholdozhbek Apasov wrote 17 original songs, 12 of which were included. The music contains elements of a Kyrgyz folk music, but it was written according to the canons of modern film music used in Hollywood. The refrain for the director and composer was the film "Les Miserables" (directed by Tom Hooper)

has a unique scene of the fall of a horse, in the creation of which no special effects were used.

of sound was made at one of the best European studio

complexes "Cinelab sound mix".

planned to use the singing actors, but eventually all the songs were performed by famous singers from Kyrgyzstan.

than 200 costumes were sewn for the film by hand. Part of costumes and decorations were taken from Bishkek museums. Also many actors and locals who starred in episodic and crowd scenes provided costumes of their ancestors, which they kept.

There cannot be nations without their elders There cannot be swamps without their reeds

Ride always further never give up

“A man with a head of wood is better than a woman with a head of gold”

-Asan, go and cut that dry tree -How can I? -It is sacred tree -Do what you’ve been told -A sacred tree will curse us, Do you believe those woo woo tales? You must answer for your brother! Do you hear me?

Once you learn wrestling, whom are you going to revenge? One does not learn wrestling for revenge.

The one, who has strong arms, will defeat one man and the one who has strong wits will defeat a thousand.

When you are clever and your heart is pure, there is no need to defeat a thousand. People will follow you by their own will.

Every man must be able to pay with his head for his deeds.

When I’m losing, my love holds me up Your words keep me standing straight, They lead me ahead to you.

There is no wind without clouds There is no forest without trees.

40th Moscow International Film Festival

Spectrum

Moscow

Russia

19.04-26.04.2018

http://40.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff40/eng/films/?id=40220

Busan International Film Festival

A Window on Asian Cinema

International Premiere

Busan

Korea

04.10-13.10.2018

http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=36882&c_idx=319&sp_idx=&QueryStep=2

POFF Black Nights

First Feature Competition

European Premiere

Tallinn

Estonia

25.11-02.12.2018

https://2018.poff.ee/films/414142

Photo from Busan IFF: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13hnA0lQjzo21xbnlgmGlOGNcg22M14bo

There cannot be nations without their elders There cannot be swamps without their reeds I am speaking out my desires To you, my sons, Asan and Esen What can be better for a mother To see her son, her pride and joy Be like a tiger, young mighty tiger, So people would say – he’s the best of all! Growing like grasses, reaching my shoulders Pure like water flowing from sparkling spring I wish my children grew in people’s wisdom Oh, blessed will I be when my people bless them

Aunty, our guests - in-laws have arrived Their saddle-bags are full of presents Let us prepare a generous feast Let the grace be upon us too Let us prepare a generous feast Let us prepare a generous feast They have crossed the mountain passes They arrived asking our daughter in marriage They are here, put everything on the table Let us welcome them with all our joy They are here, put everything on the table Let us welcome them with all our joy Who has a daughter, has her whimsies Where are the gifts you owe to us? If our brother-in-law does not give us gifts We’ll pull his ears away If we do not show him around Poor thing, he would be on his own If older sisters-in-law don’t help him He would be a lonely and lost man If older sisters-in-law don’t help him He would be a lonely and lost man Girls and young wives, let’s get together Together we will serve this feast as we must Plenty of treats we shall prepare Serve good hot tea to everyone Plenty of treats we shall prepare Serve good hot tea to everyone

Even a blade of grass gets sad When it is trampled down But it has strength fighting back as it grows Breaking through rock striving for the sun I can see in your eyes a feeling we share Ride always further never give up Your rider lost his fight today, He was breathing dust My vain hopes fooled me, They threw me to the ground But even when I’m losing, my love holds me up Your words keep me standing straight, they lead me ahead to you But even when I’m losing, my love holds me up Your words keep me standing straight, They lead me ahead to you

God sends us co-partners-in-law Better find out what sort of people they are Once you become related in-law You have to respect them, be they masters or slaves In-laws do not come every day Thank goodness, I have my cattle If needed I could slaughter not horses but a thousand Anything for my daughters! Everyone is welcome to our table Let’s bring together our good villagers!

Black waters of sorrow run so deep A wale that split us apart cut my heart in half Is there a way to heal without scar That deep, deep wound that broke my heart Is there a way to heal without scar That deep, deep wound that broke my heart Black smoke sooted the top of my yurt My bright summer day turned into winter night I’ve lost my beloved, my treasure Pain and grieve filled my days I’ve lost my beloved, my treasure Pain and grieve filled my days

Your dad looked after you like a mighty falcon Your mother took tender care of you They came to claim what belongs to them My innocent one never thought of that My innocent one never thought of that She only heard but never knew for real There is no girl as pure as you my child

It seems the entire world is frozen, My heart and soul are hurt, so hurt, My brother, I am leaving for far-away lands, My mountains will give me strength to endure! My brother, I am leaving for far-away lands, My mountains will give me strength to endure! The spring pores its soul in a song, This song fills my ears and heart. Ashamed I feel in the eyes of my beloved, My heart is bleeding to her. Ashamed I feel in the eyes of my beloved, My heart is bleeding to her. I bow down to the greatness of mountains. My destiny is here in this mighty land. The mountains, please raise me up, Bring me to your highest peaks! The mountains, please raise me up, Bring me to your highest peaks!

The land forefathers left to me, Where my ancestors laid to rest. The land one’s kin has lived and died, The only place that brings up strong men. Who am I but a wounded soul Hated, despised by everyone. Fortune has abandoned me, I am nothing but a shame to all my people. Feather grass twists around my waist, The grace is only with the people you belong. My soul is weeping as I go, Would nobody call me back to stay?! I am a lonely tree on the rock, My soul is weeping as I go. Crying, hurting, grieving as I go Nobody calls me back to stay.

Copy the link in browser to watch the video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WEEWO1x8Ux94rY257VXV7TOk65HdrimW

I can’t water my horse in my own place, I can’t ride my horse and get on with my way, They stood between us, tore us apart, We wonder alone, like two lost mountain birds. We wonder alone, like two lost mountain birds. Falcon flying high in the sky, Making circles, he cannot fly away. Where are you now, perhaps, you are in trouble, Try as I may, I cannot see you anywhere. Try as I may, I cannot see you anywhere. Birches grow on that side of the mountain, My soul is burning, hot like a flame. You did not let me join you our last time, I lost my happiness ever since you left. I wish to hear your sharpening your sword on a stone, My dear where are you now? What can I do without you, with my grief, Like a mountain bird, who lost its wings.

My moon, who rose in the sky Like a foal with a star on the forehead I wish I could hold your hand forever To see you right here not just in my dreams To see you right here, not just in my dreams Everyone has his own destiny How can I live without missing you No fairy tale tells of love greater than ours Why cannot we join our paths into one Why cannot we join our paths into one My pretty beauty, sweet and lovely I’ve never met one as noble as you I’ll always follow whatever you tell me My dear snow-white beauty, my precious one Would one who loves join his beloved How can we live without love?! We only once have our chance of living Let us be together, lets join our hears

Soundtrack: http://songoftree.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/%D0%AD%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%B8%CC%86%D0%B4%D1%8B%D0%BD-%D1%8B%D1%80%D1%8B-%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB-2.mp4?_=4

Those happy days that passed forever You can never return them back Even if you die and scream in your grave Nobody will come, no one will hear you Running river never turns back its waters Life is so short, cannot last forever No one can overlive his destined time Not all your dreams can ever come true The core of my life is broken into pieces Black, heavy ice has locked my heart All those wrongs I’ve done for years Now hurt me bad and hit me hard Early snow covered the peaks of Ala-Too This is the omen of my death I wasted away my short life Now I’m looking back, and I regret How can one win over stubborn old age How can one ever hold the reigns of that How can one stop sweet and kind youth from leaving It’ll never come back no matter how you beg Once you passed away, there is no way back No matter how they praise the one who’s left There is no second chance once he’s gone Only once your mother brought you into this world There is no second chance once he’s gone Only once your mother brought you into this world

When you reach the clouds, Take your time to look back Like tide, good and bad days Will come and go in your life again Life runs ahead, never stopping, Competing with the death. A brave one is ready to meet his death To keep his honour, defeat the evil. Plenty of troubles meets a man on his way He’ll be loved by many, He’ll be deceived by many. Still, full of hope, he waits for his future A man is happy when he has his wealth, But what can he do if he loses all One’s warm, living soul never knows the time The day when it leaves one as cold as stone Mysterious are the ways man finds in this world He gets upset by what is none of his He misses his true, real destiny, Striving for vain and hopeless needs Life is never enough for a man, Everyone is full of desires and hopes One despises his own old age, Everyone hopes to last very long. No matter where man finds himself, His mind is wider than the whole world. Be as it may, there is one strange thing A man never knows when his time will come. Amazing is man, lighting flame from a sparkle Striving to see his future fate By looking back into old, ancient days The times that long since passed.

Soundtrack: https://youtu.be/g4FW7qexMME

(Kyrgyzstan)

Address Gogolya Str, 8-28, 720021 Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Telephone +996 557-000-718

is a production company based in Moscow, Russia. The name of the Cinetrain company comes from a number of the «Kinopoyezd» projects – (note Cinetrain=Kinopoyezd rus). Cinetrain is organizing and managing the successful cinema projects, short and feature films, musicales.

(Russia) Address Pozharskiy lane, 12-65, 119034 Moscow, Russia Telephones +7 (495) 258-61-76 +7 (909) 680-73-10

is a production company based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

www.cinetrain.net