Dos-Mukasan, a film about the artistic journey of the popular Kazakh rock and pop band bearing the same name, will be screened at Brussels’ Cinema Palace on 26 September.
1. Dos-Mukasan
The story of the Dos-Mukasan group, who became known as the Kazakh Beatles, started in 1967, with four engineering students at the then Almaty Polytechnic Institute, now Satbayev National Technical University. Dossym Suleyev, Murat Kusainov, Kamit Sanbayev and Alexander Litvinov has their first performance on 1 September 1967 in Bayanaul, a city in northeastern Kazakhstan. They chose the group’s name by combining their own names.
The group initially performed as a Vocal and Instrument ensemble, performing Kazakh folk music, but with guitars instead of traditional Kazakh instruments. Clearly inspired by Western influences from bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, the band’s style was called a “product of decaying Western culture” by Soviet cultural authorities.
By the 1970’s however, every wedding, gathering and household was playing Dos-Mukasan. At the apogee of their career, they held concerts in Germany, Hungary, Poland, France and across the United States.
The composition of the band changed several times, by the end of the 1970s, members included Murat Kusainov, Nurtas Kusainov, Bakhyt Dzhumadilov, Askar Dzhankushukov, Bagdad Aydarkhanov, Arsen Bayanov and Murat Sarybayev.
Being the first Kazakh rock band and first group creating a fusion between traditional folk music and Western rock, Dos-Mukasan are considered a symbol of an entire generation of Kazakhs and their contribution to the musical history of Kazakhstan is seen as invaluable.
2. Film
Written by Efrat Sharipov and directed by Aydin Sakhaman, the Dos-Mukasan film premiered in 2022. It presents the band’s artistic journey in the context of the political landscape of the time of their emergence and how they managed to remain true to their style despite the Soviet ideology. “The stories hidden behind heart-warming poetry and soulful music in their songs will intertwine into an exciting plot and accompany the viewer through an incredible journey that originated back in 1965”, the film promises.
“I liked [the film] very much. I was transported to those years when I watched this hour-and-a-half-long film. I sat and almost cried. The film showed everything behind the scenes – difficulties and intrigues on our way, difficulties in preserving our own style despite the Soviet ideology, relations within the band”, Suleyev said after watching the film.
Most importantly, Suleyev said, the film captured the band’s love for music and conveys to audiences the atmosphere and mood of that time.
Starring Meirgat Amangeldin, Maksat Sabitov, Sayat Makulbayev, Yeldos Shaikenov, Bakhytzhan Alpeisov, Abilmansur Serikov and Shakhmurat Ordabayev, Dos-Mukasan is Arai Media’s first production.
3. Brussels screening
The film will be screened at 7pm on 26 September at Cinema Palace, in Brussels’ city centre. Tickets are available for €9.8 for adults, €7 for minors and €8 for other types of reduced fares, like students or seniors.
The screening is co-organized by the Mission of Kazakhstan to the EU and the Festival du Film Kazakh en France with the support of the production company Arai Media. The event is part of a programme dedicated to celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Part of the same cultural programme, the Embassy in Brussels is also organising a traditional Kazakh folk concert in October.
