Cinema in Central Asia: Rewriting Cultural Histories

Cinema in Central Asia' is the first comprehensive and up-to-date companion to Central Asian film from its origins to the present day. International specialists on the cinema of the region combine serious scholarly study with practical accessibility to construct an historical narrative, discuss aspects of film production, and consider the impact of film. They also give a deeper understanding of Central Asian culture, one that is invaluable with the economic emergence of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyszstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The first section is a broad history of the film industry and distinct phases of the post-Soviet film experience. The second includes incisive pieces explaining early film institutions and themes, the impact of the Second World War, expressions of identity and protest during the Soviet era, and regional variations of post-Soviet filmmaking. The final section comprises biographic and filmographic entries on the principle figures of Central Asian cinema, providing scholars and filmgoers with a valuable reference.