STARS OF THE STEPPE

THE FILMS

Farishtay kifti rost / ANGEL ON THE RIGHT
Tadjikistan Π Italy Π Switzerland 2002
Direction: Djamshed Usmonov. Screenplay: Djamshed Usmonov. Cinematography: Pascal Lagriffoul. Editing: Jacques Comets. Sound: Dana Farzanehpour. Music: Michael Galasso. Cast: Uktamoi Miyasarova, Maruf Pulodzoda, Kova Tilavpur. Producer: Marco MŸller. Production: Fabrica Cinema & Rai Cinema & Ventura Film & TSI-Televizione Svizzera & Artcam International & Asht Village
35mm Color 85min

Hamro is a scoundrel. After years spent in prison and living a dissolute life in Moscow, he returns to the Tadjik village of his birth. Hamro is a rugged, intimidating man, who has only enemies. He never goes out without a rock in his pocket, in case one of his many creditors runs into him and demands his money. Arriving home, he finds that his mother, Halima, is dying. He decides he must sell her house and belongings as soon as possible. His debts are long overdue and the townspeople are as tough as the city crowd he frequented in Moscow. Hamro immediately starts renovations on the house with a view to increase its price but also in order to grant his motherΥs wish for a decorative double gate that will allow her coffin to exit with dignity and not be lifted over the wall in humiliation...