Uyghur Shorts - Film Screening and Q&A

RIDICULOUS NURSHAD

2022 / 31 min / Drama / Uyghur, Mandarin, English / English subtitles

San Diego Asian Film Festival 2022

During the Chinese New Year holiday in 2020, four childhood friends are trapped in the

same neighborhood in Urumqi due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kamran invites them to his

home for a feast. Arkin, who has returned from Macao, arrives first, but he keeps talking

on the phone. The next to arrive, Nurshad, starts to play Emir Kusturica’s

UNDERGROUND on TV. Knowing that Nijad is running late, the others start eating without

him.

As they eat, they begin to talk about COVID-19. A bit irritated, Nurshad shares his own

opinion that the Uyghurs are immune to the virus. The other two try to refute him, but to no

avail. Nurshad remains firm in his belief, leaving his friends speechless. An awkward

silence has just fallen upon the dining room when Nijad arrives and rekindles the debate.

Director’s Bio

Ikram Nurmehmet, a native of Urumqi, Xinjiang, graduated from Marmara University with a

degree in television and film production. Currently based in Beijing, he has directed

multiple narrative and documentary shorts.

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MARIA BY THE SEA

2019 / 38 min / Drama / Korean, Uyghur / English subtitles

International Film Festival Rotterdam 2019

Busan International Film Festival 2019

In a western restaurant in Seoul, Professor Jung is explaining to his date, Ms. Lee, why he

is late: he ran into his former student, Maria, who helped him choose a gift; then they

talked at a café, as Maria had a few questions for Professor Jung. The story unexpectedly

pleases Ms. Lee, so she offers to treat him. Professor Jung objects. Small talk grows into a

hostile conversation. Feeling offended, Ms. Lee leaves without Professor Jung’s gift...

Director’s Bio

Tawfiq Nizamidin is a Uyghur director born in Urumqi in 1991. He graduated from Beijing

Film Academy. In 2017, his short film THE NIGHT OF ARZU was nominated for Best Live

Action Short Film at the Golden Horse Awards in Taipei. In 2018, he completed his second

short film MARIA BY THE SEA, shot in Korea in collaboration with the Korean Academy of

Film Arts. It premiered at the Voices section of International Film Festival Rotterdam and

was selected by Busan International Film Festival’s Community section. He also produced

and co-wrote ELEPHANT IN THE CAR. Currently he is based in France and preparing for

his next short film and first feature.

Attendees must be fully vaccinated for entry. For non-Columbia attendees, proof of vaccination will be checked at the door.