The Descendant of the Snow Leopard
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76% Critic Match

The Descendant of the Snow Leopard

7.6 / 10 1984 2h 14mNR Russian
HistoryDramaRomanceWar

Storyline

The Russian Descendant of the Snow Leopard is based on a famous Kirghizian folktale. Apparently the Kirghizian folks had plenty of time to tell this story: to print a full synopsis would result in a novelette. Essentially, the story involves a proud group of highland hunters called the Snow Leopards, who in order to survive a brutal winter must request help from the Lowland people. The price for this assistance is the hand of the Snow Leopard's daughter, who is promised in marriage to a wealthy Lowland trader. During the Springtime wedding celebration, the trader becomes fascinated by a stranger who wins all the athletic contests. This "male" contestant turns out to be a woman, who has arrived to seek freedom for her imprisoned husband. The subsequent romance between the trader and the beautiful stranger results in disaster and bloodshed for both the Snow Leopards and the Lowlanders.

Cast & Crew

DK

Dokhdurbek Kydyraliyev

Kojojash

Lead
AD

Aliman Dzhangorozova

Saikal

Doskhan Zholzhaksynov

Doskhan Zholzhaksynov

Mundusbai

Gulnara Chokubaeva

Gulnara Chokubaeva

Aike

Ashir Chokubayev

Ashir Chokubayev

Kasen

MZ

Marat Zhanteliev

Sayak

JS

Jamal Seidakmatova

Begayim

GK

Gulnara Kydyraliyeva

Zulaika

What People Are Saying

4.0
A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Tolomush Okeev's vision lands with breathtaking precision.
Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
4.0
Every frame feels alive. The Descendant of the Snow Leopard is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker