Atirkül in the Land of Real Men
Buzkashi has been a popular equestrian sport in Central Asia for centuries. It is played only by men. Atirkül, a woman with an enterprising spirit, enters this tough masculine world to form her own buzkashi team.
[Janyl Jusupjan, Director]
Atirkül, a resilient horse lover, defies gender norms by forming her own buzkashi team, blending ethnographic insights with personal determination. This film shot in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, showcases a woman pursuing her dreams in a traditionally male domain.
Janyl Jusupjan is from Kyrgyzstan. After studying literature in Kazakhstan, she worked as an editor at Radio Free Europe¡¯s Kyrgyz Department. Since 2015, she has been making independent feature documentary films with a focus on her Central Asia region.