After The Rain

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After The Rain

“Jamgyrdan Kiin” (2019) or in English, “After The Rain” is a feature narrative film about a Kyrgyz family’s unbreakable love for their daughter. Inspired and based off real-life events. The film explores the complex tapestry of Kyrgyz culture both bright and dark, seen through the lens of a family. The film celebrates the strength and beauty of the love the father has for his daughter, showing that love is always greater than any form of shame. The film was premiered in the theaters of Kyrgyzstan, fall 2019, and has been massively praised nationwide for the sheer power, message, and emotion the film delivered. The film is now published as one of the top 5 must see films of Kyrgyz cinema history.

“10/10”

“★★★★★”

“My life is no longer the same after this film.”

“A Must See for all Kyrgyz people.”

“Days have passed and I still cannot recover from the sheer emotions of the film. Simply a breathtaking masterpiece.”

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SYNOPSIS

Suyun, the beloved youngest daughter one day disappears from the street. Her family sinks with a phone call revealing that an unknown man had kidnapped her to be his bride. Driven by love, they try to save her at all costs no matter what shame comes in the way, and going to places where no one dares to go.

About

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Chingiz Narynov is a documentary film director. In 2008 he participated in the International Fellowship for Emerging Filmmakers at The Documentary Center of George Washington University (USA). He is also a Co-founder of CityLab Production Studio. His work includes: "The Children of Underground" (2002), "Rules of the Game" (2008), "Sky in the Pocket" (2009), "Behind the Wall" (2009, BBC Worldservice Trust), “Ala-Too" (2011, co-production of CityLab (KG), Avantis (LV), Alegria (FR) for Arte France), "Delivering a Puppet" (2012, co-production of CityLab and Kyrgyz Film studio), and the award winning documentary "Metal Bread" (2015).
"After the Rain" is his very first feature narrative film as the director.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

This project is very special to me. I have great pride and love for my country. I often discover my not-so-small, genuine burst of adoration for my motherland when I talk to a foreigner. The people, the culture of hospitality, and the stunning nature—I find so much joy in talking about the beauty of Kyrgyzstan.
Unfortunately, despite countless wonderful qualities, my country is also well-known for one other thing: forcing women into marriage through bride kidnapping. Bride kidnapping is an act of violence that has been upheld as “tradition.” It is a disgrace to our people. Originally, this was a “romantic” practice used to avoid the heavy bride prices (in Kyrgyz tradition, ‘kalym,’ also known as a bride price, had to be given by the groom). It was usually done in families who could not aford it. Bride kidnapping was also a way for a couple to elope when their parents disapproved of their relationship. Today, this tradition has turned into violence toward women. I do not know how this came to be, but one thing I know is—it needs to stop.
Every few months, there are headlines in the news from diferent regions all across the country of a girl committing suicide after being kidnapped. But, the perpetrators are rarely prosecuted and there is no justice. It shocks me to think that something like this still exists in the 21st century, where there is a president, a government, a department of justice and the law! How is it possible that such a barbaric act can still be practiced? No matter how much I try, I cannot comprehend this. This is why it is so important that this story is told to the Kyrgyz people. A tradition that destroys so many lives should not exist.
This is a fundamental truth for humanity; a fact that should not even have to be taught. Unfortunately, my deepest remorse is that this truth has to be spoken to the Kyrgyz people. There is a great need for a voice that says love is above all honor and tradition. By producing this film, I hope that this message of love will become a voice of change—bringing hope and justice to the women of Kyrgyzstan. And, just maybe, we will be able to save one more person’s life.

Chingiz Narynov | Director

ABOUT THE FILM

The film was written and produced by Eugenia Chung, based on a collection of true stories told by her students, when she was a volunteer teaching English in Kyrgyzstan. The entire funding of this film was done through crowdsourcing and donations, in hopes that this story will be used to bring and end to bride kidnapping, domestic violence etc., and bring dignity and a voice to the countless voiceless women whose lives this film is based upon.

After having countless students come to her in tears, sharing their heartbreaking stories, and sitting down many hours crying with them as she felt helpless for them, Eugenia was slowly compelled to do something. But the only thing she could think of was to write a story of hope. A story that would be like a letter to her students of how despite all the trauma, injustice, and shame they have been through, they are still loved and deserves dignity.

Eugenia Chung | Producer and Screenwriter

STRATEGY

Our goal is to inspire the families of Kyrgyzstan to value loving their children greater than the existent honor/shame culture, which could dramatically decrease the amount of women’s rights issues happening within this country.

Once the film is finished, our goal is to provide free screening festivals with our partner organizations and NGO’s dedicated to these human rights issues. The screenings will be paired with educational seminars in villages where these issues are heavily prevalent. By pairing educational seminars with visual storytelling, we want to affect both mind and emotion, which can inspire locals themselves to take action.