Aza (Abylai Marat) and Samat (Omurbek Izrailov), two drug runners operating in the mountains between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, accidentally come across Nazik (Begayim Asanakunova), a young girl trying to flee slavery, who asks for their help. Shortly after, Nazik is recaptured by a local criminal, and Aza decides to rescue her, putting his own life at risk. He is soon joined in his quest by another key female character, Meerim (Meerim Atantaeva). This is, in short, the plot of Deal at the Border, directed by Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi, who also co-wrote the script with Aktan Ryskeldiev. The movie was presented in the International Competition of the Bishkek International Film Festival.

The themes of human trafficking, embodied by the character of Nazik, and the quest for redemption, symbolised by Aza, are arguably the two most dominant elements of the narrative. While the film features a solid cast of supporting characters, these two remain the most poignant and lyrical. Other themes woven into the storyline include betrayal, the sense of moral duty and the struggle to break free from deeply ingrained criminal behaviour. Indeed, these topics are important and relevant, forming the backbone of the story. However, the protagonist’s character arc is relatively familiar, fitting the adventure and action genre, where the hero does everything possible to save the day, even when the odds are stacked against him. It must be said, however, that in this case, Aza is both a criminal and a saviour, adding complexity to the story.

The plot mostly follows a linear path with few twists, which gives the film a steady pace that isn’t always fully engaging, despite its relatively short length. The characters feel believable and are well portrayed, but flaws in parts of the script, combined with rather basic editing, perhaps prevent the film from consistently capturing the audience’s attention. Undoubtedly, the cinematography stands out, constituting one of the movie’s best features, and was duly recognised via an award given to Bolsunbek Taalaibek uulu at the end of the festival (see the news). Most scenes showcase some stunning landscapes, making the movie visually striking.

All in all, Deal at the Border is an easy watch, offering a straightforward narrative that, while engaging, lacks full originality and could have greatly benefited from a bolder, more daring approach to elevate its overall quality and leave a stronger impression on its audience. Most likely, for those viewers in search of a flick that delivers on its promises without overreaching or resorting to exaggeration, Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi’s work could be a fitting and satisfying choice. Sometimes, restraint isn’t a flaw, and in fact, far too often, films stumble because they try to do too much, overloading their story or diluting their message.

That said, while some audiences may appreciate the film’s clear loyalty to classic cinematic styles and its measured storytelling, others might find it a tad too conventional or predictable in some of its creative decisions, especially considering that it originates from a region that rarely adopts mainstream cinematic narratives.

Deal at the Border was produced by the director himself alongside Suiumkan Sulaimanova. Creative Center serves as the sales agent.