Fifty-Fifty (2004)
"Shiza" (original title)

Shiza is the nickname of a 15-year-old boy. Money, power, and women - he has none of these, yet, in his young life. But, he does have the illegal, underground circuit of bare-knuckle ... See full summary »

Director:

Gulshat Omarova

Writers:

Sergey Bodrov, Gulshat Omarova

Stars:

Oldzhas Nusupbayev, Olga Landina, Eduard Tabishev

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Oldzhas Nusupbayev	...	Shiza
Olga Landina	...	Zinka
Eduard Tabishev	...	Sakura
Viktor Sukhorukov	...	Doctor
Gulnara Yeraliyeva	...	Kulyash
Hurtaj Kanagat	...	Sandzhik
Khorabek Musabayev	...	Almaz
Bakhytbek Bajmukhanbetov	...	Dzhaken
Mukhit Izimov	...	Nurlan
Gajratdzhan Tokhgibakiyev	...	Uzbek
Emine Ismailova	...	Ballet dancer
Dzhasulan Makhanov	...	Almaz's bodyguard

Storyline

Shiza is the nickname of a 15-year-old boy. Money, power, and women - he has none of these, yet, in his young life. But, he does have the illegal, underground circuit of bare-knuckle fist-fighting, where he is able to eke out a living by scouting for fighters. When a man is accidentally killed in the ring, though, his life is changed forever. He decides that he should return the dead man's money to his widow and child. But, after he meets the woman, Shiza understands that he has real feelings of love for her. Now, he knows for whom he must earn money, no matter what the cost...

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Plot Keywords:

money | 15 year old | nickname | fighter | power | 

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Taglines:

V boyakh bez pravil net pravila "do pervoy krovi"! (In fights without rules, there is no rule that says: "Until first blood"!)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Sport | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

CTB Film Company [ru] Official site [us]

Country:

Kazakhstan Russia France Germany

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

4 May 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

The Recruiter

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kinokompaniya CTB, Kazakhfilm Studios, Les Petites Lumieres

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Official selection from Kazakhstan for OSCAR 2005

User Reviews

Sad, depressing realities of Kazakhstan.

There is something magical in the films from Central Asian republics that serious viewers cannot disassociate themselves from them.No one knows for sure whether it has got something to do with folklore or customs or the fact that they have freed themselves from Soviet union.Whatever might be the reason it is sure that some of the films from these reasons are made by enterprising film makers who have always made nice films despite having been burdened with lack of funds.Schizo is one such film made by Guka Omarova.In the past she has been assistant to the great Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov.She has made good use of the current day political situation in Kazakhstan to make an entertaining film by using some rather common dramatic elements.Schizo functions as a double edged sword as not only it entertains but always leaves a serious message on viewers' minds.The film is a watchable treat thanks to the title character who proves in the end that the week and meek are not to be taken for granted.