Night Accident + introduction by Birgit Beumers

New East Cinema: Night Accident + introduction by Birgit Beumers

A minimalist and poetic piece of slow cinema, Temirbek Birnazarov’s Night Accident is a tale about an old man who finds love and purpose to live in a moment of complete despair.

Based on the book The Old Man and the Angel by Kyrgyz writer and publicist Talip Ibragimov. Rich in observations and metaphors reflecting on the local reality, the film immerses us into the daily routine of rural Kyrgyzstan.

Having passed retirement age, economic instability forces Tenti to hard and undignified labour, accompanied by constant abuse from the old man’s boss. After another tough day at work, he gets into a road accident, hitting a young woman with his car. After realising that she’s wounded, Tenti takes her home in order to nurse her.

Unfolding themes of loneliness and alienation, the lonely old man falls in love with the strange and silent young woman. A masterpiece of pacing and revelation, Night Accident is a sad, charming and graceful portrait of two lonely hearts in an unexpected encounter.

The film is introduced by academic Birgit Beumers.

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