Set under the wide blue skies and windswept valleys of Kyrgyzstan, Aktan Arym Kubat’s ambient political parable follows the fate of a humble village electrician forced into a literal power struggle with a local developer. Well, eventually anyway. Kubat’s approach to storytelling is peculiar to say the least: it’s almost totally intuitive, with the plot slowly emerging from a series of documentary-like episodes capturing the fading traditions of life in Kyrgyzstan. With its goat-grabbing contests and festive yurt building, it’s a weirdly enchanting, otherworldly experience, bolstered by Kubat’s own quietly smiling performance. Ultimately, it’s too idyllic to deliver any dramatic punch — the real lasting impact lies in its soulful vision of a culture fighting to retain its values as the modern world closes in.
The Light Thief Review
A series of episodes come together to weave the story of a battle between an electrician and a local developer.
Release Date:
29 Jul 2011
Running Time:
80 minutes
Certificate:
15
Original Title:
Light Thief, The
The slow and unusual narrative lacks real drama but provides a compelling and beautiful depiction of village life.
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