Private Project

to be or not to be?

Takhir Umarov is a performer of the leading role, student of the ‘’ARDI’’ Rehabilitation center (Association of Parents of Disabled Children). In real life he dreams to become an actor. His diagnosis is Cerebral palsy. In addition, he is wheelchair-bound and stammers. Takhir does not have chances to realize the dream practically.
We created this project in order to give him the opportunity to make his dream come true, to uncover the actor and human potential, to help him in being integrated into society. There are many talents among people with disabilities. Therefore, all roles of this film are performed by young people with disabilities. Every second of their lives is given to them by incredible struggle, which enforces them to put a question for themselves: “To be or not to be”?
And despite the dramatic conditions of their existence, their answer is – to BE!

  • aziz zairov
    Director
  • mukhamed mamyrbekov
    Writer
  • Darya Belkina
    Producer
  • takhir umarov
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    быть или не быть
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 1 minute
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    14,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Kazakhstan
  • Country of Filming:
    Kazakhstan
  • Language:
    Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • arman cinema hall
    almaty, kazakhstan
    October 16, 2014
    local press screening
    audience award: 10 000 viewers
  • arman 3d
    astana
    November 27, 2014
    premiere in the capital city
    UN special mention for human rights issues raised
Director Biography - aziz zairov


Birth Date: August 20, 1968.

Place of Birth: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Graduate of the №1 Almaty city orphanage.

Aim — becoming a successful filmmaker, helping graduates of orphanages and disabled people integrate into society.

Education — graduated from the Kazakh National Arts Academy named after Temirbek Zhurgenov, Cinema Department (specialty – «Cinema and Television Playwriting»)

Landline phones: +7-727-2924899, +7-727-2924149,

Mobile phones: +7-707-1478244, +7-705-1687259.

E-Mail: zairovaziz@mail.ru.

Place of Birth: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Landline phones: +7-727-2924899, +7-727-2924149,

Mobile phones: +7-707-1478244, +7-705-1687259.

E-Mail: zairovaziz@mail.ru.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“I worked in the Association of Parents of children with disabilities, we take care of children who have cerebral palsy. A few years ago a guy, Takhir Umarov, approached me and said that dreams of becoming an actor. We began to think how to help the guy. This social project was important for usto make a film that could help people who have health problems, so that vulnerable people are able to adapt to life better. This is a film about a man who cannot walk or talk. He has his dreams, this film is about his dream and his love, and that there are no barriers, when a person has those two things. Through this film we want to uncover the problems of all people with disabilities, “- said the film director Aziz Zairov.