Shiza (2004)

Director:

Gulshat Omarova

Writers:

Sergei Bodrov (writer)
Gulshat Omarova (writer)

Release Date:

17 March 2005 (Hungary)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Shiza is the nickname of a 15-year-old boy. Money, power, and women - he has none of these, yet, in his young life...

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Fifty-Fifty (International: English title) (UK) (informal English title)
Schizo (Canada: English title) (festival title) (France)
Шиzа (Russia)
The Recruiter (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

86 min | Argentina:86 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Kazakhstan | Russia | France | Germany

Language:

Russian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva)

Company:

Kinokompaniya CTB

Trivia:

Official selection from Kazakhstan for OSCAR 2005

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.