Chouga (Shuga)

Shuga Based on "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy

Written and directed by Darezhan Omirbaev

Director of photography Boris Troshev

Sound Olivier Dandret

Production Design Nuriya Dusembaeva Kaspakova

Distribution Ainur Turgambaeva

Aidos Sagatov

Ainur Sapargali

Zhasulan Asauov

What am I going to do with these days, moving away from me as a stream?

What am I going to do with these nights, these sleepless nights?

My heart overflows with repentance.

But what am I going to do with my love, my passionate love?

What am I going to do with myself, if I am not close to you?

What will I do with my destiny, so different from that of Majnun?

Oh, I don't care so much for this wasted life.

But what am I going to do with my love, my passionate love?

What am I going to do with these days, moving away from me as a stream?

What am I going to do with these nights, these sleepless nights?

My heart overflows with repentance.

But what am I going to do with my love, my passionate love?

- Hello, Altynay! - Hello!

- Happy Birthday! - Thank you!

You haven't forgotten!

Have you finished your classes?

Because if you're finished...

- Happy birthday, Altynay! - Thank you!

I wish you the best!

Thanks, Ablay! Thanks for coming!

Ablay, I present you Tolegen. He came to congratulate me too.

- Nice to meet you. Ablay. - Tolegen.

Tolegen works in films. He's an apprentice operator.

Great! When I was a kid, I was very interested in photography.

But now I have no time...

How about we go? They're waiting.

Okay, let me put on my coat.

You come with us, Tolegen? It's close.

No thanks. I can't.

Pity. We could have talked about good movies ... I'm so sick all this Hollywood.

- You come with us, Tolegen? - No, thanks, I can't.

As you like. Let's go.

Nice to meet you.

Shuga, I called you, but you were not home.

You must come quickly to Almaty. I'll explain everything when you get there.

No, take the night train.

You'll be late if you take something else.

Thank you. I knew you'd understand.

Hello, Ablay.

Hello, Bakhyt.

- What are you doing here? - My mother is arriving from Astana. And you?

My sister too. Do you know my sister Shuga?

Her husband is mister Izbassarov. He's a member of Parliament.

I'm not really interested in politics. But I don't know your sister.

You'll meet her today. She's a special woman.

How was the party yesterday? Altynay came back home very happy.

Yes, we went to the Soho. It was fun.

I know the place. It's very nice.

And did you go with Tolegen?

We met him at the university, but he didn't join us, he's a bit strange...

Yes, he really is.

He's in love with Altynay, but honestly, she prefers you.

Thank you, Bakhyt.

Astana-Almaty

Hello mum, welcome!

Hello son! Thank God you found me!

- How was the trip? - Very good, thanks.

Your brother is not here?

He's waiting outside.

This young man is my son.

I told you he was getting restless.

Her name is Shuga.

- Shuga. - Ablay.

You probably know her brother, Bakhyt Aishanov. He works at Alem Bank.

Yes, I know Bakhyt.

Thanks to your mother, I know all about you.

Which means you must be sick of me.

He's growing, nothing happens, it is impossible to ever be separated.

Shuga has a 7 year-old son in Astana.

It's the first time that she leaves him alone, can you believe that?

- Well, I have to go. Bye! - Bye!

- Bye! - Bye!

A very interesting woman.

There are not many like her nowadays.

It's a shame that she's married. Otherwise she'd be a good match for you.

Have you known Ablay for a long time?

I have, he is the youngest son of mister Baitassov, a millionaire.

They are very rich.

They own banks, hotels, oil fields...

But Ablay is humble and nice... a good person.

And what does he do?

He has a business in Astana. That's all I know.

Hopefully he will marry our Altynay.

Really?

But let's talk about you. What happened to you?

Another fight with Togzhan?

Yes, you're my only hope.

Everything will be fine.

Aunt Shuga!

It's over... I can't go on living with him.

And I cannot leave him. The kids ...

His mere presence makes me sick.

I don't say that to comfort you,

nor to excuse him.

But there's one thing I'm sure of.

Bakhyt is one of those men

for whom family and kids are sacred.

As for the rest ... It's something else.

These are seperate worlds.

I don't understand how this can be, but that's how it is.

But he sleeps with her!

And you? you'd forgive him?

I don't know...

Actually, if I know it, I'd forgive him.

It wouldn't be the same, but I would forgive.

And I'd forgive completely,

as if nothing had happened.

I would... Otherwise it wouldn't be true forgiveness.

What are we doing sitting here?

I'm going to make some tea.

"Is Sex in the Marriage Possible ?"

Has Amir grown?

Yes, he's had a growth spurt this year.

You wouldn't recognise him!

Let me show you some recent photos.

- Won't you come in? - No, thank you, next time.

Wait, I'll get you the CD.

This is in summer, in Great Britain.

- Take it. - Thank you.

- See you tomorrow. - Okay, Bye.

Tell dad and mum that I'm moving to the student dorm.

Levin: Stiva, Why? don't you want to tell me?

Levin: How is Kitty Scherbatskaya?

When will she get married? Or is she already?

Shu station. 20-minute stop.

A bottle of sparkling water, please.

Ablay?