Original subtitles

Hundreds of years ago, the Kyrgyz Khanate...

stretched over a vast area.

As time went by,

there were civil wars.

Genghis Khan and Tamerlane

crushed the people of the great empire.

They drove them into the mountains,

and left them on the brink of extinction.

Only forty clans survived.

Central Asia, 1816

Mouths grinning, eyes bulging,

The corpses of horses,

and fallen soldiers on the hill.

A river of tears streams down the mountain,

the pines weep, and the poplars weep,

a star falls from the sky,

the earth weeps, and the people weep.

Who will lead us now?

Dear Father,

we've come to ask for a favor.

We need your blessing.

We are unable to get a child.

All our efforts are in vain.

Is that not a child's voice I hear?

Is that not your child?

Yes, it's our child. She's a girl.

Bring her to me.

Your daughter is worth ten sons.

In the future she will benefit the entire country.

Oh Almighty, let her live a long life.

Damn...

That's just what we need.

Calm down..

Don't get angry.

Shut up!

Hey, ragamuffin..

Move over for your daughter,

"Ruler of the people"

"The future queen"

Kurmanjan!

Do you like Kulseit?

What happened?

Akbalban?

Don't marry him.

I've seen him. He can't even sit on his horse.

We've been engaged since I was a child. I wear his earrings.

Give me those earrings, I will return them to him.

That's enough, stop it!

Girls, look ...

Come here.

Let's start.

Stop!

Make way! Get off the road!

Greetings, my Bey.

What are you gathered here for, Aldayar?

We are here to punish the tramp,

according to Sharia Law.

Adultery, my Bey. Adultery.

This tramp cheated on her husband.

Where's the evidence?

Two people saw her,

that's enough.

There are more!

Let him pass.

Who is this poor kid?

The brother of the harlot.

Bey, do not use your authority,

to break Sharia law.

Are there any witnesses in her defense?

Yes. The neighbours.

The word of a woman is not considered evidence, my Bey!

Untie her!

Water...

Get her some water!

What's your name, sweetheart?

Me? Kurmanjan,

Daughter of Mamatbai, of the Mongush clan.

Do you know what's written on this jar?

I do.

My grandfather taught me.

God bless you, Kurmanjan.

If you touch just a single hair on that woman's head,

you will lose yours.

What was your daughter doing over there?

She and her friends went to get some water.

A girl who is engaged, should not give cause for gossip.

Did you ask me if I want to marry him?

Even if you kill me, I will not do it.

In the eyes of God and the people,

the only husband you will have,

is Kulseit.

Our girl, on the mountainside,

where the grass whispers,

and the falcon hunts.

Young and old have gathered,

to accompany you to your fiancee.

Our girl raises her head proudly.

She has to take care of her father's honour.

When there's no cause,

the slander will go away.

Honor your father-in-law like a Bey.

Your husband's family will protect you.

Be happy with your husband,

Rock the cradle,

Reconcile yourself with your fate,

Rock the cradle,

Celebrate your wedding,

Be cheerful.

Our girl, her heart is filled with fear.

We protect you in times of adversity,

In a strange land, and a strange house,

What will happen to you...

Be happy.

Dear mother of my son-in-law!

Let her be young and happy,

treat her as your daughter.

Kurmanjan!

Enough!

You make your sister look like a slave.

Drink kumis!

The poor thing doesn't know, how thirsty she soon will be.

The master isn't home.

The master isn't, but the missus is.

Don't be afraid, my love.

Now...

Everything will be fine.

You haven't eaten for three days.

Your father fell ill.

And what can he do?

What..

What will the people think of us now?

Silk from Alai is not spread out in the sun, my Bey.

I don't throw silver dust, my Bey.

On the green mountain I went mad, my Bey.

I was not born to be a falcon's prey, my Bey.

You don't hunt a white swan with a falcon, my Bey.

In the whole world only you are my equal, my Bey.

Come in, Eltoydu.

The falcon has finished his training.

I received a complaint from Kulseit of the Barga clan.

What is he complaining about?

His wife.

Datka, maybe...

There are a lot of cases, Eltoydu.

We will visit Alai later.

Let Kudaiberdi Bey handle this complaint.

Let him sort this out.

You stole from us.

Now you stand there as if nothing happened.

You're an idiot, for not honoring ancestral customs.

Why so angry, Kezekbay?

As if you've come to kill and plunder.

Come on, let's talk...

Now he blames us!

You heard it, Bey.

Now he's saying that not he, but we are the thieves.

He looks you in the face, and steals behind your back.

So what is this about?

Run away in the middle of the night, from your lawful husband?

If we're guilty, we're guilty.

Come in, Bey,

let's talk inside.

Alright, let's negotiate.

Get Kurmanjan.

They're calling for Kurmanjan.

Oh Almighty!

Baatyr,

what would you say, if we became brothers-in-law?

I heard you're a pretty good archer.

If you want to,

I take you with your sister,

and make you lead my horsemen, when you grow up.

Abdylda, hold your breath when you draw the bow,

Now you, Kamchybek.

Pull harder, come on ...

Well done!

We made some progress, Datka.

Hello, uncle. What you are doing?

Hello, Kamchybek Mirza!

I'm making a whip for your mother.

I have a whip as well.

Wow, what a whip!

Let's see, how good it is ...

Kamchybek, this whip will not do.

This is a handle made of hawthorn,

You see, it's solid and strong as iron.

You're name is Kamchybek, so you're as strong as Kamchia oak.

Kokand

Welcome, my Bey.

Recently, the subservients of your land,

have given me more complaints than taxes.

I can't deny that.

But, apparently, the taxes are increased,

and they've become unbearable.

So what can we do about it, my dear Bey.

Only Ferghana and Tashkent pay taxes regularly.

Bukhara is more powerful than us. They're in the same position,

but they do not extort their people.

The Khanate of Kokand, is going through hard times.

Your brothers in the north, Arkalyk,

argue with us, and even threaten us.

But, my dear Bey,

I believe you are different,

I think you and I have common interests.

What happened, my dear?

Less than a year...

after my husband's death,

and I'm already married again.

I advise you not to go there ...

Oh, get lost with your advice.

Is a woman not a human being?

Tell, me!

This ring is a sign of unity.

Now we, the Kyrgyz ...

are fragmented into forty clans,

forty flags,

forty seals.

If we unite as described in these writings,

then all the Kyrgyz will join in front of that stone,

to carry out the Kurultai of the Kyrgyz.

That's all I wish for.

Is it not possible to achieve unity,

without sacrificing somebody?

Try this broth.

You'll feel better..

Andijan Kyrgyz horsemen are heading this way ...

It looks like they're led by Alymbek Datka.

How are you doing?

Are you alright?

My regards, dear Khan.

Hello, my Datka.

Come in, my brother.

Did your journey go well?

Are your people in good health?

Dear Khan,

I'll start with the reason I came..

We haven't met in a while,

I must honor the tradition,

and celebrate your visit, I can't just let it go.

But for now, let's talk.

Are you going to wrestle?

You call that wrestling?

Hold it!

Wait!

Who says so?

Your son is good... He's killing me.

The Khan has been ill for a long time.

Your visit has cheered him up.

Dear Khan,

all conditions of the merger of ...

the Andijan Kyrgyz, are written in here.

Shabdan,

my son,

in these troubled times,

when mighty forces threaten our land,

the North and the South must unite.

Alymbek Datka and I have commited ourselves ...

to hold a Kurultai for all Kyrgyz clans.

It's your duty, my son.

With your permission, we will go.

My son will escort you to the passage.

All the best, Bey.

Good luck.

Shall we see how fast our horses are, Baatyr?

I don't mind, my Datka.

Stop!

Shabdan, your father is very ill ...

You should go back now.

Son...

Father!

Have you escorted our guests?

I have!

They are your half-brothers ...

Father!

Father!

Alymbek Datka and a few horsemen have visited the north.

Traitor!

Traitor!

You can feed a wolf, but he will still bite you.

He has joined his relatives in Arkalyk.

Finish them ...

I will destroy Alai!

Have him beheaded...

Alymbek Datka hasn't returned yet.

Kurmanjan Datka went to the winter shelter.

Get the horses.

We'll be back in Alai in an hour. Let's pray.

Go back to the horses.

But, my Datka?

My message is more important ...

than my life.

Take my horse.

Go!

Go back, girls!

Throw the bags away.

Follow this path, into the woods!

Alymbek Datka was beheaded.

We've been ordered to attack Alai.

We're going to fight as well.

Tell Akbalban to take us with him.

We will avenge the death of our father.

I have a message for Datka.

She's in the yurt.

What's wrong?

The army of Kokand are approaching to the mountain pass.

Akbalban asks you to take the family,

and leave the mountains, before it's too late.

Zane, get a diaper.

The baby is born.

We need to move fast. Who knows how long we can hold out.

Hurry up!

Here.

We will cut them off at the passage.

Akbalban.

Tell me,

the battle hasn't begun yet,

and you're already prepared for an escape.

You sent a secret message to Kurmanjan.

And leave our families in the hands of the enemy?

It's best to leave this place and go.

We want to live as well,

and we need to protect our families and farms.

If you want to fight, fight for yourself.

We're leaving!

What are my people arguing about?

You Sarymsak, you want to leave.

Fine.

Let's disperse, and hand our ancestral land to the enemy.

But then, do we have the right to continue as a people?

The Kokand army is powerful,

and our lives are precious.

But even more precious...

is the future of our offspring.

You can leave,

but we will stay.

Because we have sworn not to let the enemy pass.

The descendants of Khan Manas can't run away without resistance.

It's better to die standing than to live on your knees.

In times of war, the Kyrgyz have never died laying in their beds.

What is more honorable than to die for our motherland?

You, Boronchu, who are you going to leave behind?

And you, Sanjarbek, who will protect your Gulayim?

We came here to be at your side.

You'll fight with spears, we'll throw stones,

If you have a bow, we'll bring you arrows.

We will live and die together.

If we stay alive, we'll raise our children in our homeland. Together .

What do you think?

Let's fight, horsemen!

So help us the spirit of Manas!

Let's fight!

Get back!

Hide beneath the rocks!

Get back!

Closer to the rock.

You, go.

Get up. Get back in line!

Why was Alymbek Datka killed?

There was no other way, Emir.

If Alymbek would still be alive..

I've heard...

you wanted to capture Alai.

But his wife gave you a beating.

Who?...

Who was the executioner?

A Kyrgyz named Choton.

Come eat juicy watermelons,

they melt in your mouth.

Make way!

Peace be upon you.

Who are you?

Where are you going?

We have been sent by Emir Muzaffar of Bukhara.

We've come to bring the remains of Alymbek Datka to Alai.

Clear the road.

You two, accompany them to Alai.

Thank you, ambassador.

We would be grateful to you,

if you could pass the Emir our gratitude,

for doing his duty as a Muslim,

and honoring the late Alymbek Datka.

The people of Alai will not forget it.

The Emir of Bukhara highly values...

the leadership and the courage of the Datka.

Dear Ambassador, your voice sounds familiar to me.

We had a little talk when you..

and Alymbek Datka visited the Bukhara Khanate.

Right honorable Emir!

I'm sorry, that I did not recognize you.

You're excused.

We live in troubled times.

I had to dress this way for security reasons.

Thank God you have not been hit by misfortune.

Our valiant friend Alymbek Datka was killed by the hands of a traitor.

I'm grateful his seat is not empty, thanks to you.

From Kokand to Bukhara,

and from Tashkent to Kashgar, they talk about you.

One Datka was killed, but there was a second Datka ...

That's you!

Swords out!

Live long and healthy in the name of the Almighty,

Kurmanjan Datka, mother of the Alai people,

dedicated to Alymbek Datka,

and aspiring to unite the Kyrgyz.

It's time to stop the tribal feuds,

all the fighting amongst ourselves.

It's time to start over.

The tribal feuds have weakened us.

We realize that we don't have the power..

to resist the Russian state.

We need to accept their protection,

and try to reach a peace agreement.

I, as your younger brother,

warn you about the Russian army.

We fully support the plans to unite and,

we recognize the need for the Kurultai of the Kyrgyz.

I hope to meet with you on this great Kurultai,

Shabdan.

St. Petersburg

Your Excellency.

The Kokand Khanate is under British influence.

It's the only obstacle between us and India.

The Khanate is on the verge of collapse.

We must take advantage of that, and deliver the final blow.

General Skobelev, are you sure you can beat them?

The Kokand Khanate is all over Central Asia.

Yes, your Excellency, I believe so.

What will Europe and England say? Will they not respond to aggression?

Europe, England? The winners are never blamed.

Come on, Niyaz Ali, now you!

Go, Niyaz, brother.

Lift him up.

The Khan's Palace fell, my Datka.

The flag of Kokand is now in your hands.

There's too much blood on the flag.

There will never be a flag without blood on it..

We had one state, one faith. And now the Russians will be good to us?

Today you stop the Russians,

and tomorrow,

a sword of Kokand will cut off your head ...

Do you want to hide?

If it wasn't for the palace..

our father Alymbek would sit right next to us.

Stop it, children...

No, mom!

Maybe the palace killed our father,

but he died for his state's interests.

With the enemy at the gates,

there's no time to delve into the past.

Calm down, son.

Abduldabek!

If someone wants to stop the enemy with me,

I am waiting at dawn, at Mount Zhanyryk.

Traitor!

Ambush!

Retreat! Retreat!

Mount the horses!

Good.

Battery, fire!

Please, have mercy ...

Good morning, gentlemen.

Commander, the only obstacle left ...

are the troops led by Kurmanjan Datka.

The Kokand Khanate collapsed in two days,

but these mountain men have stood their ground for two years.

These stubborn savages have made it hard, commander.

So we need to increase the numbers of the expeditionary force...

There is another way to end this, according to a letter we received.

Our attacks have resulted in massive losses.

The mountain men defend their land.

I will suspend the attacks, and find another way.

The Queen of Alai, -the so-called Queen of Alai- ...

... wants the bloodshed to end. She is ready to negotiate.

General Skobelev knows more than battle. He understands the people.

Tell him to start negotiations with the Queen.

I hope he knows what he's doing.

General Skobelev and Kurmanjan Datka, sign the agreement that will..

bring peace to the people of the region.

The Khanate of Kokand will not be restored,

From now on, the area will fall under Russian rule.

Russia agrees not to interfere in the lives of the local population,

nor in the religion they profess.

Russia agrees to stop the persecution of those that took part in the uprising,

and will release all prisoners.

The people who were forced to leave their land,

have the right to return.

Russia agrees to protect the residents,

of the seven cities of the Khanate.

When I see the courage of the Kyrgyz warriors,

I think it's the summit of patriotism.

Your fighters are an example for my own soldiers.

You must be be very happy to have raised such warriors.

Please, consider me as your own son.

Hello, mother.

Are you leaving your motherland,

because of the enemy?

Don't worry, mom.

I can't stand watching foreigners trample down our land.

I'm going to Afghanistan.

God willing, I'll gather an army, and return to expel the infidels.

What can you do?

You're still a headstrong child...

Wherever I go,

my heart will always bring me back to these mountains.

Hello, Datka. How are you doing?

Thank you, General, I'm fine. Come inside.

Your Excellency?

I came to say goodbye. I have to go to the Balkans.

The General is going to the Balkans.

General Povalo-Shveykovsky is appointed to replace me.

I hope that you will respect each other.

And I hope you'll find a common language.

You shouldn't have too much respect...

for the natives, Mikhail.

She will need to find a common language with me.

Everything will work out fine.

Eltoydu!

Hello, Datka.

I haven't seen you after the Khan of Kokand pursued you.

It looks like you're well prepared for the Kurultai, Datka.

We only have to put up the yurts for the guests.

Alymbek Datka wanted to hold ..

the Kurultai of the Kyrgyz in this same spot.

When my husband was still alive,

I was always accompanied by a tiger in my dreams.

You should lead the Kurultai.

Alymbek Datka would have wanted it.

- They're smugglers. - Close the gate.

Open the lock.

The lady has the keys.

Get them.

Uncle Akbalban!

If Kamchybek was here,

I would not be so humiliated.

It's a harsh sentence, General.

He's the son of a highly respected woman.

It doesn't matter, she's just an ordinary woman.

She'll do anything to save her son,

Anyway, she should be here any minute.

What a pity, Datka. The son of an important woman like you...

committing a crime against the Russian empire.

But Kamchibek wasn't at the scene of the crime.

That's what your son says.

According to military law,

the commander is responsible for the actions of his subordinates.

He's punished because of me.

I ask you to pardon my son.

No, we won't.

The offender must be punished.

Also, Datka,

we've arrested some people for trespassing.

Someone ...

had this pressed against his chest.

He kept repeating "Abdyldabek, Abdyldabek."

Take it, maybe you need it.

Is that you, Niyaz Ali?

Yes, it's me, Datka.

Where are the others who left?

Where is my son, Abdyldabek?

We have lost Abdyldabek.

I can't bury two sons at once.

Whatever happens, protect Kamchibek at all costs.

Uncle Eltoydu, will they release my father?

They will.

So he will come home?

I do not know,

what will happen, son ...

Who else knows about this?

Nobody except you.

Well, all is fair in love and war.

Will you bring me a pen and paper?

We are here to see Kurmanjan Datka.

I know, Shabdan.

Then why are you closing the road?

The circumstances have changed.

What do you mean?

I don't have to answer you.

I have to keep you here, until I receive new orders.

Keep us here? Are you sure you can keep us here?

Turn back, we'll take the bypass.

The roads going back are closed as well.

There are about forty soldiers at the beginning of the gorge.

Not a lot, it seems.

Maybe we should break through them?

You called us for the Kurultai, now you want the Russians to shoot us?

I told you so!

If you follow a woman, you break the bonds between men,

and put lives in danger!

For centuries the Kyrgyz followed their dream,

it must be kept alive.

It's our goal to regain our lost statehood.

How many generations were killed for this goal,

how many tears were shed.

But the flame never extinguished

No one knows the road we have to take,

to achieve our goal.

Let us strive for unity.

When the road is hard, we fight harder.

We never give up, never surrender.

The people will be ready to sacrifice their lives for the motherland

Mothers give birth to children, to serve their nation.

No life sacrificed for the nation should be in vain.

We must keep the flame burning.

It's over, this is the last film.

This woman is old. She will soon go.

This woman is history itself.

If this is a historical day,

it's because of this photo.

What's his name?

Mannerheim.

Mannerheim?

A great destiny awaits him.

A great destiny.

Kurmanjan Datka died a year later, at the age of ninety-six.

Eighty-five years after her death, Kyrgyzstan became independent again.

Akbalban was accused of smuggling, and executed with nine horsemen in Osh.

Six others were exiled to Siberia.

Emir Muzaffar was one of the last rulers of Bukhara.

He died at the age of 51.

General Skobelev fought in Central Asia and the Balkans.

He died at the age of 38.

General Povalo-Shveykovsky's rule led to a bloody rebellion in 1898.

He was discharged dishonorably.

Carl Mannerheim became a marshall.

He was later elected as the first president of Finland.