Set in the 1930s during the Stalinist era, Bauryna Salu tells the story of a Kazakh nomad named Bauryna (Yerkin Berikuly) who is forced to give up his traditional way of life and join a collective farm. Bauryna, a respected elder and skilled hunter, is fiercely independent and fiercely loyal to his people and their traditions. When the Soviet authorities begin to collectivize the Kazakh steppes, Bauryna is one of the first to resist. He refuses to give up his livestock and land, and he encourages others to do the same. As the conflict between the Kazakhs and the Soviets intensifies, Bauryna becomes a leader of the resistance. He leads a group of Kazakhs in a series of raids against the collective farms, and he helps to organize a larger uprising. The Soviets respond with brutal force. They arrest and imprison thousands of Kazakhs, and they destroy entire villages. Bauryna is eventually captured and executed, but his sacrifice inspires others to continue the fight for freedom. Bauryna Salu is a powerful and moving film that tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Kazakh history and culture, and for anyone who appreciates a good historical drama.
—yusufpiskin