Aktan Abdykalykov made his directorial debut with this semi-autobiographical Kirghizian-French drama set in a rural Kirghizian village where young Adyr plays in the brick mudpits, takes an interest in a girl, and attends outdoor movie showings. However, Adyr's pals reject him when it's learned that he's adopted, and more dark clouds hover over Adyr after a death in the family. Filmed in black and white with color inserts, this film played in several 1998 film fests (Locarno, Montreal, Toronto). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi