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Tajikistan Ahead

Tajikistan, one of the last untouched countries in the world, but one that came with a warning, “Tajikistan? Where is that? Is it safe?” boarding Afghanistan friends and family said it wasn’t safe, but that didn’t stop 14 runners taking on the toughest adventure of their lives, to run 7 marathons in 7 days from Afghanistan to China. The extreme heat, biting cold and high altitude were all expected, but no-one prepared them for the people they’d meet and the life changing experience they were about to embark on.

  • Zoe East
    Director
  • Nick Carter
    Producer
  • Danny Bent
    Producer
  • Caroline Giah
    Key Cast
  • Liz Warner
    Key Cast
  • Tom Murphy Beard
    Key Cast
  • Tomas Bagdonas
    Key Cast
  • Eddie Campbell
    Key Cast
  • Steve Hill
    Key Cast
  • Jane Robson
    Key Cast
  • Marc Moukarzel
    Key Cast
  • Eraj
    Key Cast
  • Mischa
    Key Cast
  • Mamdyor
    Key Cast
  • Ikram
    Key Cast
  • Asansho
    Key Cast
  • Komron
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,400 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Tajikistan
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Love Trails Festival
    Wales, UK
    United Kingdom
    July 13, 2024
  • Premiere
    Leeds
    United Kingdom
    January 19, 2024
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Zoe East

Zoe East is a filmmaker whose passion for telling stories through film was ignited over 10 years ago while studying in Leeds, UK where she lives. She’s a country girl at heart, growing up surrounded by nature in rural Lincolnshire, where her love for the outdoors and adventure was born. Over the last 10 years Zoe’s passion for human centred stories has deepened through working with charities and cultural organisations making short films for exhibitions, funding and online use, Zoe is content when working with people who are trying to make the world a better place. Her true passion is in documentary storytelling and this is only her second longer form documentary. Making Tajikistan Ahead brought together a number of Zoe’s favourite things and already she is excited to be planning her next adventure film…

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Director Statement

One of the challenges I faced when making this film was the sheer unknown. The unknown of the location, the people and what would happen while we were out there. We had our local crew of drivers, but they spoke no English and we spoke no Pamir. One of the beauties that came from this was just how beautiful the world can be, and how we can connect with one another through experiences and with a shared goal.