07/05/2024 - The dark, grotesque comedy, now in development, will be presented at the Central Asian Coproduction Workshop organised by the CNC

Uzbek writer-director Shokir Kholkiov will soon head to Cannes to present his sophomore feature, a dark, grotesque comedy titled Leg. Now in development and financing stage, the project will be showcased at the Central Asian Coproduction Workshop organised by the CNC on Saturday 18 May.

Kholikov graduated with a master's degree in Film and TV directing from the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture in 2023. His shorts have gained international recognition, taking part in numerous festivals and scooping over 40 awards. His debut feature film, titled Sunday, was screened in festival such as Jeddah’s Red Sea and Hong Kong, and won the Asian New Talent Award for Best Film at the 2023 Shanghai International Film Festival, among other accolades. 

“Would you bury a part of your body in a cemetery? Ulmas is determined to preserve his amputated leg, in order to avoid the mandatory Uzbek tradition of burying it in the cemetery, alongside his future remains: Fear doesn't stop Death; it stops Life,” reads the project’s official logline.

The picture aims to enter production in Q4 2024 and is set to be shot in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital city.

Key crew members include DoP Erkinbek Ptyraliyev and production designer Bektosh Rajabov.

Speaking about the project, Kazakh producer Aigerim Satybaldy tells Cineuropa: "Leg is a fusion, weaving universal themes of life, death, fate, and human fears into a tale deeply rooted in the Uzbek context – a narrative that's unfamiliar and fresh to the world. With the incredible director, DoP and a talented line-up of co-producers, along with a captivating humorous drama storyline, we're thrilled to bring this project to life.”

Italian producer Paolo Maria Spina adds: “For my company, Revolver, it’s a concrete opportunity to kick off a hands-on collaboration with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the wider region. In this former Soviet macro-region there are not only extraordinary locations, but there’s also the expertise, the talents and the creativity which can be fused with universal themes and has the potential to be known soon worldwide, not only within the festival circuit but also through an all-rights distribution across Europe.”

Leg is led by Aigerim Satybaldy for Almaty-based A-Films (Kazakhstan), and co-produced with Paolo Maria Spina for Revolver (Italy), Silvana Santamaria for SoilFilms (Germany), Johann Chapelan for Girelle Productions (France), Fernanda Rennó for Fidalgo (Norway) and Stefano Centini for Volos Films (Taiwan/Italy). Delivery is slated for Q3 2025.

At the Cannes Workshop, the team is seeking partnerships with funds, distributors, festivals and minority co-producers.

Last year, the project also took part in the Bishkek International Film Festival’s Asian Co-Production Meetings and in the Eurasian Film Market in Almaty.