Determination

Story

Synopsis

An avant-garde exploration of the themes of high-art vs. low-art conflict. The film begins with the bleak slideshow of Almaty architecture with the robotic french voice narrating something in the background. After that, the director begins to dance while the texts suggests its own analysis and theories. Finally, the film closes with a visual collage blending footage from indie web series, french new wave films, archival footage of Cannes, and personal footage of milk being microwaved.

Director

Tamerlan Smagulov

Language

French

Country

Kazakhstan

Release date

11 July 2026

Ensemble

Cast

• Tamerlan Smagulov

  Self

• 

  Jean-Luc Godard

  Self (archival footage)

• 

  François Truffaut

  Self (archival footage)

• 

  Bulle Ogier

  Claire (archival footage)