A disenchanted former sailor stranded with his farming family on the southern steppes of Kazakhstan is the subject of the documentary film-maker Sergei Dvortsevoy's beguiling feature debut, Tulpan. At times slyly witty and at others subtly moving, it describes the yurt-bound life of Asa (Askhat Kuchencherekov), resented by his brother-in-law, pampered by his sister, and rejected by his potential bride, Tulpan, who is never seen on camera (like Asa's dreams of escape, she is illusory). More importantly, through Asa's eyes we witness the harsh but transformative world of the Steppe, which is the movie's always compelling focus.
12A, 100 mins