Kazakh director Aitore Zholdaskali’s solo debut feature film, titled “Sicko,” is set to screen this week at the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival. The movie is described as a hard-boiled crime thriller that explores the consequences of an internet scam gone wrong.
Written by Zholdaskali alongside Kazybek Orazbek and Aldiyar Zhaparkhanov, “Sicko” centers on a cash-strapped couple who devise a get-rich-quick scheme. The narrative promises intense content, with the source noting that there will be blood — and lots of it — throughout the film.
Despite the graphic nature of the thriller, Zholdaskali has offered perspective on the level of violence depicted in the movie. In an interview regarding the film's tone, the director stated that the gory Kazakh “Parasite” is “Not as Violent as Life Itself.” He elaborated on this viewpoint by asserting that “Life Has Much More to Be Afraid Of,” suggesting a philosophical underpinning to the cinematic brutality.
The film serves as Zholdaskali’s first solo directorial effort, marking a significant entry into the international festival circuit. By focusing on economic desperation and criminal opportunism, the story aims to reflect broader societal anxieties through the lens of a high-stakes thriller. The inclusion of “Sicko” at the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival highlights its relevance in current cinematic discussions regarding crime narratives and directorial debuts.
The collaboration between Zholdaskali, Orazbek, and Zhaparkhanov represents a joint creative effort to bring this specific story to the screen. The script’s focus on financial strain leading to illicit activities provides a grounded context for the thriller elements that define the movie's atmosphere.
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