Official Synopsis
Directed by Alina Baitokova for the Tartaly Film Collective, Umai explores female identity, maternal care, and social resilience in contemporary Kyrgyzstan. Named after Umai, the ancient Turkic mother goddess and sacred protector of women, children, and fertility, the documentary provides nuanced portraits of Kyrgyz women navigating intergenerational dynamics, domestic caregiving, and community leadership.
Biography
Filmmaker(s): Alina Baitokova
Alina Baitokova is a Kyrgyz photographer and documentary filmmaker based in Bishkek. As an active member of the Tartaly Film Collective, her creative work explores female identity, intergenerational relationships, and structural social issues in Central Asia.
