Heaven Is Beneath Mother's Feet
2024 Kyrgyz film
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Heaven Is Beneath Mother's Feet (Kyrgyz: Бейиш - эненин таманында) is a 2024 Kyrgyzstani drama film directed by Ruslan Akun and written by Akun and Emil Esenaliev.[2] Starring Esenaliev accompanied by Anarkul Nazarkulova and Bolot Tentimyshov.[3] It is about a man with an intellectual disability who will take his mother to Mecca so she can go to paradise.
Emil Esenaliev
Aziza Khalbekova[1]
| Heaven Is Beneath Mother's Feet | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ruslan Akun |
| Written by | Ruslan Akun Emil Esenaliev |
| Produced by | Tugolbay Koychiev Aziza Khalbekova[1] |
| Starring | Emil Esenaliev |
| Cinematography | Kalmatov Kanybek |
Release date |
|
Running time | 140 minutes |
| Country | Kyrgyzstan |
| Language | Kyrgyz |
It was selected as the Kyrgyzstani entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.[4]
Synopsis
Adil is a 35-year-old man with intellectual disability who lives with his 75-year-old mother, Raikhan, in a small town. She always tells Adil that he will go straight to heaven, but he does not want to go without his mother's presence. One day, an 8-year-old boy tells him that if he takes his mother to the Holy city of Mecca for the Hajj, then she will go to heaven. As a result, Adil undertakes a journey on foot to the place while carrying his mother in a wheelbarrow.[5]
Cast
- Emil Esenaliev as Adil
- Anarkul Nazarkulova as Raikhan
- Bolot Tentimyshov
Production
Principal photography took place in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.[6]
Release
Reception
Box-office
The film established itself as one of the highest-grossing films of 2024 in the Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan market.[2] After 4 days of its release in Kazakhstan, it grossed ₸454 million tenge (just over $1 million),[11] surpassing Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in grosses.[12]
Accolades
| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3rd International Film Festival in Good Direction - Russia | Grand Prize | Ruslan Akun | Won | [13][14] |