TULPAN

Directed By: Sergey Dvortsevoy

Review By: Kim Jindra

When Kazahk sailor Asa returns home to his sister's family he hopes to begin herding his own flock of sheep, but there is a catch.  Asa must be married.  When TULPAN, the only single girl for miles, rejects his proposal of 10 sheep and a chandelier he is surprised.  His brother-in-law is angry at Asa and begins treating him like an indentured servant rather than a family member.

The family dynamics are recognizable and wonderfully portrayed.  I totally identified with Asa's sister, Samal.  She is caught in the middle between her loyalty to her husband and love of her children and the love for her brother.

The camera work is superb.  From the dust devils and thunder storms on the Kazakh steps to the intimate family moments every shot makes you feel as though you are part of the scene.  Some standout scenes are the kids at play on their father's back, the youngest child, Nuka, on his stick horse and the oldest boy, Beke, giving news reports.  I also loved the opening scene where Asa tries to woo Tulpan and her parents with mariner yarns of seahorses and octopuses.  And every scene with Samal is a delight.  Her ease with arduous tasks made me almost feel guilty with our modern conveniences.

Asa tries three times to woo Tulpan before agreeing to go with his best friend Boni, a truck driver and porn aficionado, to the big city for a new start.  Of course Samal wants her brother to stay.  This is a special glimpse into family life, which is reminiscent of Native American culture, but a unique treasure all its own.