Akan Satayev
2021Akan was born to a family of actors, both his parents were recognized as People's Artistes of the Kazakh SSR and performed leading roles at Karaganda Drama Theater where he spent a lot of time. That theater became his first drama school, and in 1994 Akan graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts, Dept of Cinema and Television. While at the university, he played student Azat, the main character in Allazhar, a movie by Kaldybay Abenov about tragic events in Alma-Ata in December 1986. After graduation, Akan took part in various feature films and went into directing and producing advertising clips. Sataifilm, the company he founded in 2003, presented Racketeer, a crime drama and his debut movie, in 2007. In 2016 Akan founded Astana Film Fund to support young Kazakhstani directors and low-budget indie productions. In the same year he shot 2 feature-length movies - “Districts”, a teenage crime drama set in the USSR and The Road to Mother, a period drama about Collectivization in the Soviet Union, Eastern Front (World War II) and post-war years in Kazakhstan. Mr. Satayev led Kazakhfilm, the largest movie studio in Kazakhstan between 2020 and 2022.
Road to Mother
Akan Satayev
Aruzhan Dzhazilbekova, Berik Aitzhanov
When the Soviets impose new ways of collective farming and permanent settlements on a region of nomadic dwellers, young Ilyas is separated from his mother, Mariam. Through decades of war, mother and son persevere in their efforts to be reunited.
The Road to Mother
Rayony
Akan Satayev
Sharip Serik, Asel Sagatova
Alma-Ata, 1987. The protagonist of the film is 16-year-old Arsen, who moves from the suburbs to the city center and goes to a new school. At the new school, he makes friends with classmates who are active participants in the so-called "District Movements". Along with this, Arsen faces street, teenage hierarchy and violence. And before him there is a choice, to become like everyone else or to remain true to himself.
Districts
Myn Bala
Akan Satayev
Asylkhan Tolepov, Kuralay Anarbekova
A universal story about the freedom of the human spirit and the struggle against slavery and despotism, about love, loss and betrayal. It is seen through the eyes of simple Kazakh kids and teenagers.
Myn Bala: Warriors of the Steppe
Бизнесмены
Akan Satayev
Aisulu Azimbayeva, Askar Ilyasov
Events in the "Businessmen" unfold in the era of the 90's, when the country is experiencing an economic crisis. Heroes of the film are among the first who stood at the origins of market relations in Kazakhstan.
Businessmen
Tomiris
Akan Satayev
Almira Tursyn, Erkebulan Dairov
This is the story of the life of the great queen of the steppe - legendary Tomiris. She is destined to become a skillful warrior, survive the loss of close people and unite the Scythian/Saka tribes under her authority.
The Legend of Tomiris
Hacker
Akan Satayev
Callan McAuliffe, Lorraine Nicholson
Alex, an immigrant from Ukraine comes to Canada and becomes involved with an online criminal organization called Darkweb. What starts off as a way to help his parents financially, soon becomes a personal vendetta against the entire banking system, when his mother is fired from her job at the bank
Hacker
Заблудившийся
Akan Satayev
Tungyshbai Al-Tarazi, Ayganim Sadykova
The main character, his wife and small son lose their way and become stuck on a country road. As a result, they have to spend the night in their car. The following morning, the main character awakens alone, his wife and son having mysteriously disappeared. His preliminary searches bring the hero to a small lonely house, in which an old man and a young woman live. It seems that these strange tenants know about him and his family but try to hide their knowledge. For what reason?
Strayed
Alone
Akan Satayev
Aisulu Azimbayeva, Anastasiya Vostrova
A young woman lives in a big weird and empty city. There is no other humans, no noise from the streets and no sounds of nature. The only one who shares her loneliness is her little daughter. They do everything together, draw, play and read fairy tales every night. But their perfect world drastically changes when they notice someone else’s presence.
Alone
