Kosh Ba Kosh - A Russian-Tadjik Film By Bakhtier Khudoynazarov

The Hyderabad Film Club is screening a Russian-Tadjik film "Kosh Ba Kosh" (Odds And Evens) on 19th January at the Sarathi Studios, Ameerpet. The film is directed by Bakhtier Khudoynazarov, and the cast includes Daler Madzhidov, Paolina Esparza Galves, Bokhodur Dzhurabaev, Alisher Kasimov, Rakhmonkul Kurbanov and Albardzhi Bakhirova.

This movie was filmed during a civil war between Islamic fundamentalists and everyone else in the newly independent country of Tadjikistan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan. The constant presence of sounds of gunfire, and the additional illumination by tracer bullets in night scenes add urgency to this fairly conventional romance.

In the story, Mira has just returned home to Dushanbe from Russia to visit her father, a wastrel who is completely addicted to a local gambling game called "Odds And Evens", or Kosh Ba Kosh. Even though he has no power over her, he recently wagered (and lost) her in a game of odds and evens. Meanwhile, she meets a cable car operator with whom she forms a relationship.

The film was awarded the Silver Lion at the International Film Festival in Venice in 1993, the Grand Prix in Saint Petersbourg in 1994, and altogether has been screened at over 30 international film festivals.

Entry is free for members of Hyderabad Film Club. Please contact Bh S S Prakash Reddy of the Hyderabad Film Club at 2373-0841/93910-20243 for further details.