The sales company Cercamon has diversity exclusive access to a clip from the upcoming revenge film “Crickets, It’s Your Turn” ahead of the film’s premiere in Locarno.
The film was written and directed by Olga Korotko, who was also responsible for “Bad Bad Winter”. It centers on Merey (Inzhu Abeu), who lives in Almaty, Kazakhstan. There the girl meets a boy: Nurlan (Ayan Batyrbek), who immediately introduces her to his friends. Things don’t go well, but Merey still agrees to go to his birthday party in the mountains. After all, what could go wrong?
“In the film, I don’t just address patriarchy. I see patriarchy as a symptom: a consequence of a broader worldview rooted in social Darwinism that perceives the world as a place where the only way to succeed is to use strength, dominance and toxic competition,” Korotko said. diversity.
“Patriarchy is a product of this worldview and I wanted to highlight its features and turn them almost into a joke. The key word is ‘almost’ because this joke is not funny. There are real victims who suffer and the consequences of such a perspective can be tragic.”
That’s why the film is called ‘Crickets, It’s Your Turn,’ she explained, borrowing a phrase used when someone makes a joke but no one finds it funny.
“We need to change as a society and redefine what we consider to be the success of an individual, a country or a society as a whole. This worldview is widespread and not limited to Kazakhstan. It exists everywhere,” she added.
Korotko’s technique encourages the mixing of genres, with the boundaries between drama, comedy, thriller and “theatrical” elements being “fluid and interwoven”.
“In this way, I want to remind the audience that although these scenes take place in Merey’s imagination, their roots are deeply rooted in real life,” she noted.
“Her method of resistance is to make fun of the situations and push them into the absurd and comical through theatrical fantasies. But Merey also learns to express her protest through real actions and, above all, through her art. She wields the camera, traditionally an instrument of objectification, to capture the soul, depth and personality of the most vulnerable women in society: the call girls.”
In the film, a group of prostitutes are hired for the party. Together with Merey, they support each other.
“The moment (these women) step out of that environment and are alone together, they become their true selves. It’s a world of mutual support and honesty, where it’s safe to be vulnerable because there’s no danger of being ‘devoured’ by someone higher up the food chain,” she said.
“This is perhaps the most sincere scene in the film. There is no room for absurdity, fantasy or caricature. I wanted to create a moment of real human connection.”
Such moments, however, are rare in the film, which offers a Khazakian variation of “Promising Young Woman.”
“Not long ago there was a trial of Bishimbayev, a powerful official who brutally beat his wife and killed her. This is not an isolated case. Although the film deals with a difficult and topical issue, I approached the topic with a certain coolness. Because emotions, no matter how real or important, are not what can help in this context,” Korotko said.
“We all know that violence is wrong. An emotional confrontation with this topic would not bring any new insights. I wanted to create a film in which we could take the position of an observer. Empathize with the protagonist, but not be so overwhelmed by emotions that we lose the ability to reflect.”
In the film, Merey – and Korotko himself – ask whether the world should really continue to revolve around the “survival of the fittest”.
“When I was writing the script, I knew that the most anticipated or narratively logical ending would be in the style of a ‘revenge girl’ story, where the protagonist takes justice into her own hands. But that would contradict the message I want to convey to the audience,” said the director.
“I wanted to explore the idea that those of us who adhere to the ‘Philosophy of the Peacock’ – a worldview whose primary mission is to bring beauty into the world – are bound to lose if we try to fight the adherents of Social Darwinism in their own way, using their instruments of power and domination.”
“It is impossible to defeat those who adhere to the philosophy of power by sheer force, by trying to be even stronger and more aggressive. We must seek another path. This path may not be quick or immediately obvious, but it is a path that brings about deep and significant change.”
“Crickets, It’s Your Turn” is produced by the director and Etienne de Ricaud for Seven Rivers and Caractères Productions respectively.
“Working on this is an exciting opportunity for us as Olga has a unique ability to combine intense, personal storytelling with broader social commentary,” said Sebastien Chesneau of Cercamon.
“The film explores the chilling aftermath of a seemingly innocent night that turns into a dark game of survival. At a time when audiences are increasingly drawn to narratives that challenge the status quo and provoke thought, I believe a film like this, with its gripping story and powerful message, is exactly what people are waiting for.”
