REVIEWS
"The Light Thief elegantly dramatizes the complex challenges of a developing economy with its heartfelt story about the unglamorous yet very real struggles of life in post-Soviet Central Asia" –
San Francisco International Film Festival
“The Light Thief might be a simple story, but it's ultimately a complex film” –
Montreal Gazette
“Director-star Aktan Arym Kubat has come up with an illuminating parable about the clash of tradition and modernity” –
The Guardian
“European funds contributing to the production and with a burning subject such as energy control high on the world’s priority list, this is a surefire festival item, with definite chances for niche art house distribution.” –
Screen Daily
“...a touching, pawkily amusing example of that fairly rare genre, the satirical tragedy.” –
The Observer
“[Aktan Arym] Kabut is irresistible. His Mr. Light may be an innocent in terms of the so-called civilized world but his intuitive perspicacity, mix of humility and pride and unabashed desire for his beautiful neighbor make him complex and human. ... Never portrayed as yokels, the villagers may be cut off from the world but they are astutely aware of their position in society. This is not how the West sees the East, but how someone from the East views the downward spiral of his country. ” –
The Hollywood Reporter
“Helmer Arym Kubat is aces as the protag, his expressive face and body language making dialogue superfluous.” –
Variety
FESTIVALS & AWARDS
2010
Piazza Grande, LOCARNO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Contemporary World Cinema, TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
FIPRESCI Prize, EURASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CINEFEST SUDBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Director’s Fortnight, CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
2011
BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
GASPARILLA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SCOTTSDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WISCONSIN FILM FESTIVAL
SILK SCREEN ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
