My Aletai (2024)

As Kazakh person, this drama passed my vibe check:)

As a Kazakh, it was a must to watch this drama and I really enjoyed it. I’m also from a small village, but more modern / settled type, however some people from my village also go to summer ranches (zhailau/jailau) to herd their cattle. In my village there are many Kazakhs from China and Mongolia, so this drama really showed the vibe of jailau and life of people there. Especially, I was amazed with the actors play and how they delivered real life situations and conversations so naturally. I had a feeling as if I was living with them in that village and observing everything from outside. Also, respect to the male lead actor who is not Kazakh but was trying to pronounce some difficult words in Kazakh, yet other actors’ Kazakh language was authentic. There were many funny moments that maybe only Kazakh person(who speaks Kazakh) could understand, because of course as in any other languages there are some phrases or sayings that you can’t really translate without altering the meaning a bit. Overall, I enjoyed cinematography, music, acting, and plot as well. So, go watch it!!!

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Highly recommended adaptation of essays with ethnic scope

I loved watching this miniseries, that features some well known actors and actresses (Ma Yili, Zhou Yiran, Yu Shi) together with a cast that skillfully portrays the balance between ethnic minorities in the remote northwestern corner of Xinjiang where vanishing lifestyle competes with the hopes and toils of younger generations.

Rather than repeating myself, I will just refer to my Notes about the miniseries, that illustrate many of the thoughts that can be triggered by watching the series. The story can be watched with no prior knowledge, but raises questions that push to dig deeper. There are many nice touches and details, and the director herself did state that although humorous elements were added to the play, they were kept within a moderate range to prompt the audience to reflect. The balance is kept to avoid too much heaviness, and the pace is brisk, while the cinematography enhances the loveliness of nature, despite its sometimes harshness. Horse lovers will be drawn in by the horse raising culture of the herders, who also use camels, and breed fat sheep that can be milked and used to make medicinal soap! The togetherness and mutual support even by those who have a beef to chew against people who shoot their mouth too quickly, and offend them, introduces hope in human relations. Of course they are shielded by the remoteness, but Hotan jade is known, so poachers do come to threaten the peace.

The miniseries grows on the audience, while details raise questions. Love, pain, discoveries and healing are there. The impressive Douban rating of 8.5 (then, now risen to 9.4!) is totally justified.

More in my Notes : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/my-aletai/125351-to-the-wonder-notes-about-the-slice-of-life-tv-series

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A love for Altay

Stunning cinematography, heartwarming story, and stellar acting. I really loved this drama - watching Wenxiu evolve from a timid rabbit, watching the love between Batay and Wenxiu develop, and tender heartbreak that followed. It's a clear view into Kazakh nomad lifestyle and you feel not as an outsider, but part of the village, celebrating weddings through song and dance, small joys in finding wood ear, and family discussions on remarriage and who the children should follow.

I adore Wenxiu and Batay separately and together. They needed that three years apart to grow strong as individuals and experience their own dreams. I'm also so glad the drama ended with a happy ending for the couple. First drama of 2024 that had me so invested in the story and characters. What a joy to watch!

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Eu vejo você

❝Na cultura cazaque, a amizade ou o amor entre humanos florescem ao serem vistos. Então, "Eu gosto de você" em Cazaquistão, "Men seni zhaksy koremin", significa "Eu vejo você claramente.❞

Uma obra prima! Em seus poucos episódios conseguiu transmitir leveza e profundidade. A fotografia parecendo que saiu direto do Studio Ghibli. Atuações excelentes, apenas com o olhar foi possível ver os sentimentos que queriam demostrar. Tudo muito bem dirigido e produzido. O desenvolvimento da história e a finalização sem defeitos. Terminei com gostinho de quero mais.

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“I see you clearly”, and I saw it all very clearly.

“I see you clearly”, and as I sat down and started watching this show, I saw it all very clearly.

I saw the beauty of nature, the breathtaking environment, the cultural heritage of the herders, the kind and warm-hearted Kazakh people and the ever changing times.

It’s a simple plot, but it’s beautifully told, with sympathetic depictions of the common minority folk and richly nostalgic evocations of rural life.

What a wonderful slow, character-driven story with its dreamlike quality, yet so detailed and personal that it captures and connects stunningly with so many lives.

I still have the lingering feeling of being intimately acquainted with the people living in the isolated yet beautiful landscapes of Altay.

The music score was just perfect and poignant; on more than one occasion I found myself shedding tears for the beauty of it.

I highly recommend this, and I am extremely grateful to the person who suggested it to me, as it is deserving of recognition and praise.

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