Sutak (2015)

The Shepherds of Heaven tells of the conflict between traditional culture and modern development. An elderly shepherd and his wife live in a gorge near Lake Issyk-Kul. Their son died in an accident long ago, but their daughter-in-law, Shair (Taalaikan Abazova), still lives with them. The couple have a seven-year-old granddaughter named Umsunai (Jibek Bakutbekova), as well as a grandson, Ulan (Mirza Subanbekov), who studies in the city. The family lives happily in the mountains without needing the conveniences brought by modern civilization. Umsunai is much like her grandfather and is closely connected to local traditional myths and stories. She often imagines that her deceased father has become an eagle, helping her overcome the pain of losing him. Ulan, who studies in the city, also values traditional culture, but is more ambitious and is fascinated by city entertainment. However, traditional culture is threatened by the trend toward modernization. There are rumors that a railway will pass through the gorge where the shepherd lives, and machines have suddenly appeared in the meadow where they graze their horses, to the shepherd’s dismay. The shepherd and his wife try to keep everything as it was, but these people living in the countryside receive an umbrella from the city. It shields them from the sun and becomes a symbol of innovation. Meanwhile, meteorologist Ermek moves to the nearby area and falls in love with Shair. Their relationship forces Shair to choose between personal happiness and preserving the traditional way of life.