Tulpan (PG)

Endearing, perceptive and humourous treat - a young man on the make returns home to the Kazakh steppes

Director: Sergey Dvortsevoy
Starring: Tulepbergen Baisakalov, Ondasyn Besikbasov, Zhappas Dzhailaubaev
Russia, 2008, 1 hour 40 minutes, Kazakh with English subtitles

Wed 3 March 6.15pm, Fri 5 6.00pm The Courtyard Hereford

Set on the Kazakh steppes where the pinnacle of achievement is to become a shepherd, this delightful comedy is full of wonderfully drawn characters eking out their nomadic life in a spectacular, empty land. A sailor home from the sea, Asa is keen to marry. But Tulpan, the only potential bride for miles, is unimpressed by his tall stories and big ears. So Asa has to be content to share a crowded yurt with his sister, her noisy family and a brother-in-law who is always on his case while he continues to dream. . . With a nice line in the absurd, this is dry, deadpan humour to relish.