Spring Days of Minority Film Cultures

Come and discover a rich tapestry of cultural diversity! Cinema Artis presents six unique films from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia as part of the Spring Days of Minority Film Cultures. Each screening offers more than just cinema – it's a meeting with perspectives rarely seen on local screens. A perfect opportunity to refresh your viewing habits beyond the usual Hollywood and European selection.

🎉 On 22 May from 18:30 to 19:00, enjoy a welcome drink before the opening film, the Uzbek feature Sunday.

ℹ️ Please note: not all films have Estonian subtitles. Make sure to check subtitle availability before the screening.

🎬 Sunday (Yakshanba) – Uzbekistan
Subtitles: English, Estonian
🗓 22 May at 19:00
🎬 Director: Shokir Kholikov

A young woman, Nigora, gathers the courage to break free from a patriarchal society and start a new life after her divorce. Her silent rebellion peaks on Sunday – a day when everything stops, and thoughts grow louder.

Sunday is a visually elegant reflection on autonomy and inner freedom in modern Uzbekistan. It offers a rare cultural insight and a quietly powerful female narrative.

🎬 This Is What I Remember (Esimde) – Kyrgyzstan
Subtitles: English
🗓 23 May at 19:30
🎬 Director: Aktan Arym Kubat

A loving father, now suffering from memory loss, struggles to reconstruct his past and reconnect with his family and himself. His present collides with his forgotten past in a deeply emotional journey.

Directed by Kyrgyzstan's renowned filmmaker, this poetic and humanist story explores memory, forgiveness, and what ultimately binds us together.

🎬 The Scent of Melon in Samarkand (Samarqandda qovun tarovati) – Uzbekistan
Subtitles: English, Estonian
🗓 24 May at 16:45
🎬 Director: Ali Khamraev

A nostalgic, meditative walk through the streets of Samarkand, where a man recalls his youth, his first love, and defining moments – all triggered by the scent of a melon.

Crafted by legendary director Ali Khamraev, the film is a lyrical ode to time and place, where cinema reaches beyond story – to mood, scent, and memory.

🎬 Mika – Kazakhstan
Subtitles: English
🗓 24 May at 15:00
🎬 Director: Aldan Bajmachanow

Mika, a little girl in foster care, dreams of meeting her biological mother. Her emotional journey through joy, sadness, and discovery brings her closer to understanding love and family.

Mika is a heartwarming family film about empathy, belonging, and seeing the world through a child’s eyes – perfect for viewers of all ages.

🎬 Amerikatsi (The American) – Armenia
Subtitles: English
🗓 24 May at 18:35
🎬 Director: Michael A. Goorjian

In 1948, an Armenian-American returns to Soviet Armenia to build a new life. The harsh reality lands him in prison, where a window becomes his only connection to the outside world and to hope.

Amerikatsi is a warm tragicomedy blending history, humanity, and humor. A festival favorite and a bridge between East and West.

🎬 Hello, Europe! – Kyrgyzstan
Subtitles: Estonian, Russian
🗓 25 May at 16:00
🎬 Director: Ruslan Akun

An elderly Kyrgyz couple dreams of a better life in Europe and suddenly sets out on a whimsical journey. Along the way, they encounter bureaucracy, mishaps, and personal revelations. Shot partly in Estonia, local viewers will enjoy fun moments of recognition.

Hello, Europe! is a sharp and funny take on global identity and personal dreams, delivering both insight and great situational comedy.

🎟 Tickets are already available for all screenings!
📌 See you at Cinema Artis – where we bring the world’s stories to the big screen!