Famous Kazakh director Ardak Amirkulov has passed away

Tengrinews.kz —Renowned Kazakh director Ardak Amirkulov has passed away, citing the Ministry of Culture and Information.
According to the ministry, Amirkulov dedicated his life to the advancement of national cinema and made a significant contribution to the development of the Kazakh film industry.
The director also spent many years in academia, serving as a mentor who shaped several generations of domestic filmmakers.
Films entered the "Golden Fund" of cinema
Ardak Amirkulov's most notable works include "The Fall of Otrar," "Abai," and "Goodbye, Gulsary!" among others. His films have become part of the national cinema's "Golden Fund."
The Ministry of Culture emphasized that the director's work was characterized by a profound reflection of the country's history, the spiritual values of its people, and human destiny. His projects were highly acclaimed by both audiences and the professional community.
International recognition
Ardak Amirkulov's historical drama "The Fall of Otrar" received the FIPRESCI Prize at the Montreal World Film Festival in 1992. The film was later included in a retrospective by famed director Aleksei German at the Toronto International Film Festival..
In 2025, "The Fall of Otrar" underwent a 4K restoration as part of the World Cinema Project, with the participation of Martin Scorsese's The Film Foundation. The restored version of the film was presented in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Another of Amirkulov's well-known films, "Goodbye, Gulsary!", also garnered international acclaim. The picture was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the International Iran Film Festival, and previously won the Grand Prix at the Eurasia International Film Festival, awards for directing and acting at the Issyk-Kul Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Cottbus Festival of East European Cinema.

"The bright memory of Ardak Zhamansaryuly, his dignified life, and his significant contribution to the development of Kazakh culture and cinematography will forever remain in the hearts of the people," the statement read.

Ardak Amirkulov was born on December 10, 1955, in the Zhambyl region. He was an Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, a laureate of the State Prize, and a recipient of the Order of Kurmet.
He graduated from a pedagogical institute in 1977 and the directing department of VGIK (Sergey Solovyov’s master class) in 1988. From 1992 to 2002, he headed the Kazakhfilm studio, and also taught as a professor at the Almaty State Theater and Art Institute.