Home / Arts and Entertainment / Kazakh Horror Sequel Hits Global Market
Kazakh Horror Sequel Hits Global Market
11 Sep
Summary
- Dastur: Teris Bata secured international sales rights for world markets.
- The film taps into Kazakh mythology and folk horror traditions.
- The sequel aims to introduce genre filmmaking from the region.
The horror sequel "Dastur: Teris Bata" has found an international sales partner in Fearfolks, which will handle world sales excluding CIS territories and launch the film at the Toronto Film Festival market. This follows the immense success of the original "Dastur" (2023), which became the highest-grossing film in Kazakh cinema history. The standalone sequel itself garnered approximately $2 million locally.
The narrative follows Gulzhan, a single mother whose daughter Dana vanishes, leading her to a remote village inhabited by the elderly. There, she discovers Dana was taken for an ancient ritual rooted in "teris bata," a profound ancestral condemnation in Kazakh belief. Gulzhan must confront the insular community and confront dark heritage to rescue her daughter.
Directed by Alisha Utev, "Dastur: Teris Bata" draws upon slow-burn folk horror and authentic Kazakh mythology, much like its predecessor. This positioning aims to serve as a gateway for international audiences into genre filmmaking from a region with limited representation. Fearfolks' CEO expressed honor in amplifying the film's narrative globally.
