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Tulpan

Play trailer Poster for Tulpan 2009 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Asa (Askhat Kuchinchirekov), recently released from military service, travels to the Kazakh steppes. He moves in with his sister (Samal Esljamova), her husband (Ondas Besikbasov) and their children in a small village in the dry plains. Asa dreams of becoming a shepherd, but first he needs to find a wife. The only woman available is Tulpan (Tolepbergen Baisakalov), who is initially turned off by the awkward Asa. Their relationship will determine the rest of Asa's life.
Tulpan

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Kazakh sheep herders get their cinematic due in this lovely, unsentimental debut from director Sergei Dvortsevoy.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Chang Film Comment Magazine 06/17/2013
But in addition to the brutality of Tulpan's environment, and its merciless impress on the inhabitants, the film succeeds foremost, most surprisingly, as comedy. The trials and tribulations of Asa are worthy of Samuel Beckett. Go to Full Review Patrick Peters Empire Magazine 11/13/2009
4/5
Perceptive and humorous, this gentle drama is uplifting and resonant. Go to Full Review David Jenkins Time Out 11/13/2009
4/5
Dvortsevoy exhibits the storytelling composure and technical proficiency of a veteran, while his keen eye for a pastoral poetic flourish places 'Tulpan' firmly among the year's most endearing cinematic experiences. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia 08/07/2020
7/10
I can't deny the fact that I'm pleasantly surprised by watching 'Tulpan', the comedy-drama by Kazakh director Sergey Dvortsevoy. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 07/07/2019
3/4
Beautifully filmed and exquisitely crafted, Tulpan succeeds in its own modest and unassuming way. Go to Full Review Eric Hynes Stop Smiling 08/23/2017
From beginning to end, horizon to horizon, Dvortsevoy's film is simply a privilege to watch. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Irene M 07/29/2023 quite immersive look into the day in the life. really makes one ponder what one's life might be like if one was born in another place. See more 11/22/2019 A masterpiece! Incredible film, totally new, incredible long takes. It's a complete joy to watch it. See more 05/05/2019 Of those rare diamonds that come out where least expected. Documentary like drama with subtle sentiment, humorous touches here and there and of course drama on the rough. See more 01/10/2019 ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2Ð¸Ð»ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/4 ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2?ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2Ð¿Ðµï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 See more 11/06/2015 Sounds came out animals I never heard before. People did things to animals I never want to see again. Yet somehow this film works in an extreme culture shock sort of way. See more 01/11/2014 Het leven op de steppe van Kazachstan is saai. Net zoals deze film. Rating van 96% op RottenTomatoes... Why o why? See more Read all reviews
Tulpan

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Cast & Crew

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Sergeï Dvortsevoï

Director

Askhat Kuchinchirekov

Asa

Samal Esljamova

Samal

Ondas Besikbasov

Ondas

Tolepbergen Baisakalov

Boni

Bereke Turganbayev

Beke

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Tulpan

Askhat Kuchinchirekov as Asa in "Tulpan." Askhat Kuchinchirekov as Asa in "Tulpan." Askhat Kuchinchirekov as Asa in "Tulpan." Director Sergey Dvortsevoy on the set of "Tulpan." Tulpan (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Asa (Askhat Kuchinchirekov), recently released from military service, travels to the Kazakh steppes. He moves in with his sister (Samal Esljamova), her husband (Ondas Besikbasov) and their children in a small village in the dry plains. Asa dreams of becoming a shepherd, but first he needs to find a wife. The only woman available is Tulpan (Tolepbergen Baisakalov), who is initially turned off by the awkward Asa. Their relationship will determine the rest of Asa's life.
Director
Sergeï Dvortsevoï
Producer
Karl Baumgartner, Thanassis Karathanos
Screenwriter
Sergeï Dvortsevoï, Gennadi Ostrovsky
Distributor
Zeitgeist Films
Production Co
Arte, Pallas Film
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Russian
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 1, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 7, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$156.3K
Runtime
1h 40m