The Bells
Set across three metaphorical decades, The Bells follows a queer couple as they navigate the stages of love: grief in the 1950s, regret in the 1970s, and passion in the 1980s. Through shifting eras that mirror their emotional journey, the film explores the timeless nature of their connection and regrets.
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Zhansaya KhaidarovaDirector
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Zhansaya KhaidarovaWriter
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Jenna May BourqueProducerEpicideon
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Zhansaya KhaidarovaProducer
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Liesanne MusicoKey Cast"Alycia"
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Sophia SandhuKey Cast"Rachel"
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Project Type:Experimental, Short, Student
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Genres:Romance
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Runtime:6 minutes 17 seconds
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Completion Date:September 30, 2024
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Production Budget:800 CAD
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Canada
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, ARRI Alexa Mini LF
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Aspect Ratio:2.39:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - Vancouver Film School
Zhansaya Khaidarova is an emerging filmmaker and storyteller from Kazakhstan, that is driven by a passion for exploring the intricacies of human relationships. A graduate of the prestigious Vancouver Film School, she brings a unique perspective to her work, that is distinguished by evocative dialogue and visual storytelling that seeks to capture the unspoken beauty of everyday moments.
My vision was to craft a story that transcends conventional narratives, where nothing is meant to be taken literally, and every detail is open to interpretation.
Inspired by the poetic visuals of Wong Kar-Wai, I sought to evoke emotions through bold color palettes, abstract imagery, and intimate framing, allowing the audience to feel rather than analyze. The bells—wedding, alarm, and church bells—serve as fluid symbols of union, danger, and societal judgment, emphasizing the sacred and forbidden nature of their love.
Through this film, I invite the audience to reflect on the timeless resilience of human connection and the complexity of the mind. The Bells is a deeply personal expression of queer love’s endurance, designed to linger in the spaces between what is seen and felt.
A link to the Electronic Press Kit: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGcAozrt_Y/HYlAiXloFmqW6qKXmVs9-g/edit?utm_content=DAGcAozrt_Y&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton