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Olga Korotkos Locarno Player Crickets, Its Your Turn Offers Khazak Twist on Pro

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Sales company Cercamon has given Variety exclusive access to a clip of its upcoming revenge tale “Crickets, It’s Your Turn” ahead of the film’s Locarno premiere.

Written and directed by Olga Korotko – also behind “Bad Bad Winter” – it focuses on Merey (Inzhu Abeu), who lives in Kazakhstan’s Almaty. Then, a girl meets a boy: Nurlan (Ayan Batyrbek), who immediately introduces her to his friends. It doesn’t go well, but Merey still agrees to go to his birthday party in the mountains. After all, what could go wrong?

“In the film, I am not solely addressing patriarchy. I see patriarchy as a symptom: a consequence of a broader worldview rooted in social Darwinism that perceives the world as a place where the only way to succeed is through strength, domination and toxic competition,” Korotko told Variety.

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“Patriarchy is a product of this worldview, and I wanted to highlight its characteristics, almost turning them into a joke. The keyword is ‘almost’ because this joke is not funny. There are real victims who suffer, and the consequences of such a perspective can be tragic.”

That’s why the film is called “Crickets, It’s Your Turn,” she explained, borrowing a phrase used when someone makes a joke but no one finds it amusing.

“We need to change as a society, redefining what we consider to be the success of an individual, a country, or a society as a whole. This worldview is pervasive and not confined to Kazakhstan. It exists everywhere,” she added.

Korotko’s process encourages the blending of the genres, where the boundaries between drama, comedy, thriller and “theatrical” elements are “fluid and intertwined.”

“This is my way of reminding the audience that, although we see these scenes in Merey’s imagination, their roots are deeply entrenched in real life,” she noted.

“Her method of resistance is to mock the situations, using theatrical fantasies to push them into a realm of absurdity and humor. But Merey also learns to manifest her protest through real actions and, most importantly, through her art. She wields a camera, traditionally an instrument of objectification, to capture the soul, depth and personality of the most vulnerable women in society: call girls.”

In the film, a group of prostitutes is hired for the party. Together with Merey, they end up offering each other support.

“The moment [these women] step out of this environment and are alone together, they become their true selves. It’s a world of mutual support and sincerity, where it’s safe to be vulnerable because there’s no risk of being ‘devoured’ by someone higher up in the food chain,” she said.

“This might be the sincerest scene in the film. There’s no place for absurdity, fantasy or caricature. I wanted to create a moment of genuine human connection.”

However, such moments are rare in the film, which offers a Khazak twist on “Promising Young Woman.”

“Not long ago, there was a trial involving Bishimbayev, a powerful official who brutally beat his wife, leading to her death. This is not an isolated incident. While the film addresses a difficult and timely issue, I approached it with a certain coldness. Because emotions, no matter how genuine or important, are not what can help in this context,” said Korotko.

“We all know that violence is wrong; addressing this issue emotionally wouldn’t bring any new revelations. I wanted to create a film where we can adopt the position of an observer. Empathize with the protagonist, but not become so consumed by emotion that we lose the ability to reflect.”

In the film, Merey – and Korotko herself – question whether the world should really keep oscillating around “the survival of the fittest.”  

“When writing the script, I was aware that the most anticipated or narratively logical conclusion would be in the vein of a ‘revenge girl’ tale, where the protagonist takes justice into her own hands. But that would contradict the message I wish to propose to the audience,” said the director.

“I wanted to explore the idea that those of us who adhere to the ‘philosophy of the peacock’ – a worldview where the primary mission is to bring beauty into the world – will inevitably lose if we try to battle adherents of social Darwinism on their terms, using their tools of power and domination.”

“It’s impossible to defeat those who adhere to the philosophy of power through sheer force, by trying to be even stronger and more aggressive. We must seek a different path. This path may not be quick or immediately obvious, but it’s a path that brings about deep and significant change.”

“Crickets, It’s Your Turn” is produced by the director and Etienne de Ricaud for Seven Rivers and Caractères Productions, respectively.

“Working on it is an exciting opportunity for us because of Olga’s unique ability to blend intense, personal storytelling with broader social commentary,” said Cercamon’s Sebastien Chesneau.

“The film explores the chilling consequences of a seemingly innocent night that devolves into a dark game of survival. In an era where audiences are increasingly drawn to narratives that challenge the status quo and provoke thought, I believe a film like this, with its gripping story and powerful message, is exactly what people are waiting for.”

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