Thriving Creative Sector Spotlighted by Notable Kazakhstan Producer, Revealing Significant Untouched Opportunities
An Unconventional Journey in Creative Kazakhstan
Enraptured by the allure of creativity, Yerkebulan Kurishbayev, an avant-garde producer and director of QARA Studios in Almaty, embarks on an uncharted path in the heart of Central Asia. This industrious land, more famed for its oil and minerals than its music and films, presents an intoxicating blend of tradition and innovation. In a candid conversation with The Astana Times, Kurishbayev delves into his journey, the challenges faced, and the current landscape of Kazakh music and cinema.
Carving Out a Distinct Identity
Creativity is no gold rush for Kurishbayev and his team. They meticulously carve out a niche for something exceptional in Kazakhstan. The creative sectors including arts, culture, media, design, and technology contribute a meager 1% to the country's GDP, paling in comparison to the global average of 3.1%. However, the sector is swiftly gaining momentum, driven by digitalization and a youthful population. Kurishbayev's QARA Studios, co-founded with a renowned Kazakh director – Aisultan Seitov, typifies this growth, producing films, music videos, commercials, and organizing large-scale events like OYU Fest.
OYU Fest: A Festival of Modern Kazakh Music
One of the company's marquee projects, OYU Fest, is a contemporary Kazakh music festival. Conceived in 2022, it evolved from the OYU Live music project, a YouTube series showcasing various Kazakh artists. Despite not having a clear positioning initially, the idea was always to create something patriotic. The intriguing aspect is that when one utters 'national' or 'folk', people often imagine tradition and the past. But what the team wanted was a national product and festival of the present.
In less than two years, OYU Fest has become a treasured annual event on Almaty's cultural calendar. With astonishing attendance figures exceeding expectations, its debut in Astana last year was a significant milestone. For Kurishbayev, the joyful and open-hearted residents of Astana, regardless of their age, were a profound testament to the festival's appeal. This year, the team anticipates welcoming approximately 10,000 people at the OYU Fest in Astana on June 28, up from around 8,000 last year.
Championing the Kazakh Language and Culture
The intense interest in OYU Fest signifies a larger cultural awakening in the country. Across Kazakhstan, a growing number of young people are reclaiming their cultural heritage and language. What was once deemed outdated in the Soviet Union is now a tool for communication, expression, and connection via music, art, films, and everyday life. Thanks to this positive and contagious surge, the significance of the Kazakh language no longer hinges on its visibility abroad or the need to switch to English or Russian to reach a broader audience.
The Future of Kazakhstan's Cinema
The cinematic landscape of Kazakhstan is poised for change. With audiences becoming more discerning and demanding of quality films, the country is bracing itself for an era of acclaimed Kazakh productions. Kurishbayev believes that in the next five to seven years, Kazakhstan could very well secure its first Oscar, Cannes Lion, and a Berlinale Bear, among other prestigious accolades. He compares Kazakhstan's current film industry to South Korea a decade ago when both commercial and acclaimed auteur films garnered widespread recognition. However, to reach this potential, the country requires significant improvements in its number of cinemas and a more efficient support system for its filmmakers.
Behind the Scenes: The Unseen Efforts
Every project, be it a single film or a grand festival like OYU Fest, demands an immense emotional, financial, and time investment. For instance, to produce a film, a year could be spent perfecting the script, six months on pre-production, a month on shooting, and then numerous months on editing. Deriving intense inspiration from the love of creation, Kurishbayev and his team pour their heart and soul into each venture they undertake, often without worrying about pinpoint focus or efficiency. It is their passion and dedication that continue to fuel Kazakhstan's burgeoning creative industries.
The Emotional Toll
Creating in any sphere brings with it the challenge of emotional exhaustion and the risk of burning out. Kurishbayev, a walking paradox of hard work and creativity, often finds himself at this delicate juncture. Despite his relentless pursuit of growth and continuous engagement with diverse minds, he remains driven by the simple desire to create. His unwavering team, just like him, does not compromise on their passion for creation, choosing instead to focus on their love for their craft. It is indeed the steadfast determination and tireless efforts of ambitious pioneers like Yerkebulan Kurishbayev that promise a dazzling, creative future for Kazakhstan.
- Yerkebulan Kurishbayev and his team are not only carving out a niche for something exceptional in Kazakhstan's fashion-and-beauty and entertainment sectors, but also in education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as they strive to contribute more to the country's GDP.
- Aside from OYU Fest, which is primarily focused on music, Kurishbayev's QARA Studios also delve into books, producing films and organizing large-scale events like OYU Fest.
- In their pursuit of growth, Kurishbayev and his team sometimes face the challenge of emotional exhaustion and the risk of burning out, much like individuals in career-development fields.
- The success of OYU Fest and other creative endeavors in Kazakhstan are not just about entertainment, but also about promoting the use and appreciation of the Kazakh language and culture, proving that creativity can play a significant role in lifestyle.
