Private Project

Kiss-In

Timur, a philosophizing hairdresser, learns that his girlfriend Lilya is pregnant, but dreams of traveling and for this becomes a soldier in the Blue Helmets. Before leaving for the United States, Timur's military unit is sent to suppress rallies in the city, where Lilya gives birth to his child. Timur deserts to see Lilya and part ways peacefully before going abroad. -

  • Yuliya Levitskaya
    Director
    Sex Fear and Hamburgers, Zoogarden
  • Juliya Levitskaya
    Writer
    Sex Fear and Hamburgers, Zoogarden
  • Juliya Levitskaya
    Producer
    Sex Fear and Hamburgers, Zoogarden
  • Yadykar Ibraimov
    Key Cast
    "Timur"
  • Madina Bespayeva
    Key Cast
    "Liliya"
  • Nariman Abiyev
    Key Cast
    "Captain"
  • Kamilla Nugmanova
    Key Cast
    "Mirrah"
    Yellow Cat
  • Duman Nursila
    Key Cast
    "Alikhan "
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Kazakhstan
  • Country of Filming:
    Kazakhstan
  • Language:
    English, Kazakh, Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Yuliya Levitskaya

Eldar Shibanov Levitsky
36 years old
Based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Works in film industry since he was 18 years.
Creates film with his mom Juliya Levitskaya and brother Dias Shibanov
Mountain Onion (90 min) 79 Venice Film Festival - Biennale College Cinema
HFPA Residenc Fellowship 2023
7 short films
Most successful short film for now SEX, FEAR and HAMBURGERS (Venice IFF, BIFF, Moscow IFF)
AFA fellow 2016. Won scholarship from Dean Tsai Ming Liang.
NYFA 2017
Berlinale Talents 2021

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

KISS-IN

Just as the characters in my film seek freedom in the United States, I want my debut film to find freedom.
The story was written in 2019, it is based on the real story of Yulia Levitskaya, who gave birth to me during the December rallies in Alma-Ata, and my dad at that time served in the army, in the state security agencies and his detachment was sent to fight riots in the city .

In history, we talk about the importance of human freedom and his choice in matters of life, love and death, regardless of whether his choice coincides with the opinion of others or contradicts it.
Each person is unique and not like the other, but, despite the differences, people should have equal rights and the opportunity to make independent decisions in life situations.

The 12-day filming period ended in the fall of 2020 during quarantine restrictions. And the editing and toning period lasts almost 3 years due to lack of budget and the desire to make a film that still finds its screen for showing. This is what the whole crew and actors are waiting for, selflessly working for free in this film.

After showing “Kiss-In” to several Kazakh distributors, we received positive feedback that the film is interesting, but due to the LGBT theme and human freedom raised, they cannot support and show it.

Now the film has acquired a new sound in connection with the political situation in the world. Although for me and my co-authors, political events are the backdrop for telling a human story, sharpening all actions.

I dream of proving my right to perform in front of Kazakh distributors and other screenings at international film festivals. Thus, our film gets a chance to be shown not only in Kazakhstan, but also in the wider region of Central Asia. It is important for me to show a film that talks about the independence of mind and freedom of choice regardless of gender and sexual orientation of a person, as well as the future of masculinity, a topic that I constantly explore in my work. I believe that it is important and important for the local viewer to see such a film made by one of them. This provides a rare opportunity to strike up a frank conversation.

In a provincial town in Kazakhstan, parents insisted that their son get a lobotomy after coming out as gay. I'm afraid that this will become the norm - to remake and break the unlike.

I want every viewer after watching our film to take the path of accepting a person (friend, neighbor, child or parent) with their own unique set of characteristics.