A new mini-series, Astana, My Love, showcasing Kazakhstan’s glittering capital, begins broadcasting on July 1 in the run up to celebrations for the capital’s July 6 anniversary. The twelve-part series, a joint venture between Kazakhfilm Studios, Eurasia Film Productions and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, was filmed on location in Astana and Almaty and features actors from Kazakhstan and Turkey.
The fairytale begins 25 years ago: a Turkish Airlines flight was crossing over Kazakhstan. On board was the wife of a Turkish construction tycoon. During the flight she gives birth to a daughter, delivered by a Kazakh doctor who herself has a one-year old son. In the heat of the moment they agree that their children will marry one day.
Over the years, the arrangement is forgotten. But 25 years later, fate intervenes. The two youngsters meet by chance as a result of common business interests: he is an up-and-coming architect helping shape the new capital, and she is working for her father’s company, which has projects in Astana.
Turkish soap operas such as Valley of the Wolves and The Fall of Leaves are wildly popular in Kazakhstan, so it’s no surprise that Turkey was chosen to partner on this co-production. Turkish actress Bahar Akça, star of many a mini-series in her home country, features in a lead role.
Local stars Zhannat Kuanysheva and Gulnara Dusmatova represent Kazakhstan in the series, directed by Yermek Shinarbayev. Producer Gulnara Sarsenova also produced the popular Kazakh films Mongol and Tulpan.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who by a remarkable coincidence shares his birthday with Astana, was given a sneak preview of the show on June 22. Developing the new capital is his pet project and this glorification of Astana comes as yet another early present for the man who said he didn’t want a fuss over his 70th birthday.
Paul Bartlett is a journalist based in Almaty.
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