BAOZHDA

Synopsis

Keran follows his parents to his uncle’s home to celebrate the New Year. While the adults are out, Keran loses the sheep his uncle’s family had prepared for the New Year. he and his cousin must retrieve the sheep before the adults return. When they finally found the sacrificial sheep, its leg is broken, and it is dying. According to Kazak ethnic traditions custom, if a sheep dies in an accident during the Festival, it is considered unlucky, so it must be “Baozhda” and Keran, being the man, must perform it. However, Keran feels guilty and wants to find a veterinarian to save the sheep. They argue but eventually agree: the cousin will go to the veterinarian, while Keran stays behind. If the sheep starts dying, Keran has to “Baozhda” it with a dagger.

Keran Abukasimu

Keran comes from Ili, Xinjiang, China, and graduated from the Communication University of China with a major in filmmaking. He often focuses on dilemmas in reality, skillfully expressing delicate emotions through unique visual.

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Director's statement

When I was a child, my cousin and I went on an adventure in the valley. We found a dying sheep, and my cousin said that according to traditional customs, we must slaughter it. I didn’t believe him, so I ran home to bring the adults, thinking they would save it. But they didn’t; the sheep was slaughtered. I collapsed and cried, feeling it was my fault. I occasionally think of this incident, a common occurrence that has happened millions of times on the grassland.