The Turkish-Kazakh film Sofia was presented at the Venice Film Festival. The film was introduced on behalf of Kazakhstan by co-director Darya Dunich and line producer Marina Berg.

The story follows Sofia, a young woman who finds herself in a difficult situation. She is dating a wealthy Turkish man, Hüseyin, unaware that he is married. When Hüseyin’s wife intervenes, Sofia’s plans are shattered, and her life takes an unexpected turn. She then meets Azamat, a Kazakh immigrant who moved to Istanbul years ago in search of a better life.
The film was shot in Turkey, on the Black Sea coast, and in Kazakhstan.

“The themes we explore in the film may be difficult, but I believe that’s the power of cinema — its ability to address important issues and evoke emotions. We all go through tough moments, and I hope our film will make you reflect, and perhaps even offer some comfort. Our film is the result of the hard work of a whole team of talented people. We spent countless hours on set, faced challenges and joys, and each of us put a piece of ourselves into this project,” shared co-director Darya Dunich.
In February, Sofia was presented at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival, with its world premiere taking place at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was also showcased at the film market in Budapest.
Source: Forbs Kazakhstan
About the Film Sofia

Year of release: 2024
Country: Turkey, Kazakhstan
Genre: Drama / ComedyTiming: 90 min
The slogan: Don’t touch anything of mine
World premiere: May 2024
Premiere Turkey: 2024
Premiere Kazakhstan: 12th of September
The trailer:
TheDBpost team:
DMYTRO BAS — Postproduction producer, Colorist
VALENTIN ANDREEV — Team Lead, VFX compositor, Colorist
VLADIMIR PINCHUK — Editing Director
BOGDAN SKORIK — Sound Director
Postproduction assistants: DMYTRO MISURA, DMYTRO STARODUBCEV, ALINA BAS
NATALYA ATLAS — Editor
UVAROV MYKHAILO, ANNA GAIVAN — Film poster design
Cast and Crew of the Film:
Directed by TULEPBERGEN BAISAKALOV
Co-director DARIA DUNICH
Screenplay by TALGATBEK ABISHEV, SAPAR AUYELBEK
General producer YANA RAI
Executive producer DARIA DUNICH
Line Producer MARINA BERG
Director of Photography AIGUL NURBULATOVA
Production Designer TATYANA KUZOVLEVA
Make-up Artist LIDIYA ORDYNSKAYA
Music by RAVIL KIRSHIBAI, ARMAN MUKATAI
1st Assistant Director ALYONA KIM
Script Supervisor ALYONA KIM
2nd Assistant Director ABDELRAKHMAN TURKIA
2nd Cameraman SERGEY BELOUSSOV
Lighting Designer, Gaffer NAIL SULEIMANOV
Assistants Lighting Designer SEZGİN AKTÜRK; MÜMİN TAŞGIN
1st AC, Focus Puller RENAT NUGAEV
Digital Imaging Technician İBRAHİM BULUT YILDIZLI
Camera Technicians ÖZGÜR AKGÜL; MEHMET CAN TÜRK
Ronin Operator FURKAN ŞAHİN
Assistants Ronin Operator RAMAZAN TALHA YASİM; YUNUSEMRE GÜNDOĞMUŞ
Boom Operator ARDZHUN NAGUMANOV
Costume Designer TATYANA KUZOVLEVA
Assistant Production Designer SOPHIYA DUNICH
Assistant Costume Designer TATIANA MIROSHNIKOVA
English translation by PAUL GEOFFREY ELLIOTT, MARINA ELLIOTT
Turkish translation by MARINA BERG
Cast:
Sofia YANA RAI
Azamat TULEPBERGEN BAISAKALOV
Hussein TOLGA ÇİFÇİ
Chidem İLKAY KUYKU
Pimp NATALIA CHEPRASOVA
Hotel manager HİCRAN KARADAĞ ŞİMŞEK
Hotel security guard EKREM SEYFULLAH KEÇECİ
Beach security guard CEM BÜYÜKKAYA
Kidnappers SERVET ASİ; NURETTİN HEMRAYEV
Guys at the beach EMRE ÜNAL, MUSTAFA KAYA, ÇOŞKUN ELAYEV
Hairdresser RASİM DEMİRHAN
Gold salesman UMUT CAN GÖKTAŞ
Housekeeper GULCHEKHRA SHOKIROVA