Kyrgyz Film 'Only Heaven Knows' Draws Success at Alternativa Festival in Medellín
The third edition of the Alternativa Film Festival featured successful screenings of 'Only Heaven Knows,' directed by Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva. The film, produced by a majority Kyrgyz team and shot in Chicago, explores a woman's discovery of her missing husband's double life. Karamoldoeva highlighted the role of Chicago's Kyrgyz community in making the project possible.
thehindu.comThe Alternativa Film Festival held its third edition with successful screenings of the Kyrgyz film 'Only Heaven Knows' in Medellín, Colombia. The festival traveled over 7,000 miles from its original launchpad in Kazakhstan to Medellín for this edition. @Variety reported these details in an article published on May 5, 2026, at 10:43am PT.
Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva directed 'Only Heaven Knows,' which was made by a majority Kyrgyz creative team and shot in Chicago. The film features Mira, played by Malika Kanatova, as a nail salon worker married to truck driver Eric, portrayed by Dauren Tashkenbaev.
In the story, Mira's husband goes missing, leading her to uncover his double life, including a gambling addiction and debts to dangerous men.
Following the screenings, Karamoldoeva stated that the film was only possible due to the generous, united Kyrgyz community in Chicago. She compared her country's burgeoning cinema to South Korea two decades ago. These comments came amid celebrations of the film's reception at the festival, as detailed by @Variety.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-05-05
@Variety published article on 'Only Heaven Knows' and Alternativa Film Festival.
1 source@Variety - Recent (2026)
Successful screenings of 'Only Heaven Knows' at Alternativa Film Festival in Medellín.
1 source@Variety - Recent (2026)
Alternativa Film Festival held its third edition, traveling over 7,000 miles from Kazakhstan to Medellín.
1 source@Variety - Undated (production period)
'Only Heaven Knows' directed by Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva, shot in Chicago by majority Kyrgyz team.
1 source@Variety
Potential Impact
- 01
Increased visibility for Kyrgyz cinema internationally through festival exposure.
- 02
Potential boost in collaborations between Kyrgyz filmmakers and global communities like in Chicago.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
dnaindia.comKangana Ranaut Thriller 'Bharat Bhhagya Viddhata' Set for June 12 Release in India
The film 'Bharat Bhhagya Viddhata,' starring Kangana Ranaut, draws from true events during terror attacks in India. It focuses on hospital workers who saved 400 lives at Cama Hospital. The thriller, written and directed by Manoj Tapadia, is produced by Pen Studios, Manikarnika Fi…
Rhododendrites / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)Goldfinch International and Fablemill Form Strategic Advisory Partnership for Creative Economies
Goldfinch International and Fablemill announced a strategic partnership on May 5, 2026, focused on advising governments and investors in MENA, Asia, and Africa. The platform covers policy design, investment advisory, enterprise development, and market support. It leverages Goldfi…
International Energy Agency / Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)The Devil Wears Prada 2 Earns $234 Million Globally Since April 29 Release
The sequel to the 2006 film generated $77 million in U.S. theaters and $157 million internationally. Production included an added fashion montage in Italy, and the Italian dub features returning voice actors. Meryl Streep expressed interest in Lady Gaga leading a potential third…