How China and Kazakhstan fall in sync through reel connections

Editor's note: Min Rui is a culture journalist and a special commentator for CGTN. The following commentary reflects her personal views.

In the growing relationship between China and Kazakhstan, film and television have quietly become the most compelling cultural bridge – transforming the two nations from neighbors on a map to kindred spirits.

It starts with a story. It could be a shared laugh, a familiar landscape, or a song that resonates. This is how Chinese and Kazakh audiences are discovering unexpected connections – not through politics or news headlines, but through movies and TV shows.

Across deserts and mountains, across subtitles and dubs, something simple yet powerful is happening: people are beginning to feel each other's worlds.

Rethinking what we see

Cinema shapes perception. Unfortunately, the Hollywood mockumentary "Borat" gave many in the West their first (and wildly inaccurate) impression of Kazakhstan. It unfortunately turned a vibrant nation rich in history, culture and modern urban life, into a punchline.

China-Kazakhstan film collaborations take a different path. They're built on mutual respect, cultural empathy, and a shared desire to tell stories with truth and heart – free from superiority complexes or stereotypes.

Films that celebrate shared memories

Take "The Composer," a China-Kazakhstan co-production based on the real-life story of the Chinese musician Xian Xinghai and the Kazakh composer Bakhytzhan Baikadamov. It's more than just a film – it's a cinematic archive of friendship, compassion, and solidarity in wartime.

Shot and directed across a shared border, the film reminds us that our histories were intertwined long before our screens were. And it also reminds us that our grandparents stood side by side, and we're simply picking up where they left off.

Speaking the audience's language, literally

When the Chinese hit series "To the Wonder" was dubbed in Kazakh, local viewers didn't just understand the dialogue –they felt the story. With its poetic take on the grasslands and nomadic life, the show echoed Kazakh traditions and landscapes. The show didn't just reach Kazakh viewers; it touched them.

The series sparked a widespread sensation across Kazakhstan, striking a deep chord with audiences and igniting vibrant discussions on social media. Riding this wave of enthusiasm, Kazakhstan's tourism authorities swiftly rolled out promotional campaigns, aiming to turn the show's popularity into cultural and travel engagement.

Chinese animated films are also capturing hearts in Almaty and beyond. The Boonie Bears series, dubbed into Russian - a widely spoken language in Kazakhstan - has been steadily growing in popularity. Children laugh at the antics of Vick and Briar, proving that humor truly knows no borders.

A sweet way into the theater

What do deep-fried dough and a TV drama have in common? In Kazakhstan, everything. Named after the beloved Kazakh pastry, the Bawrsak Theater is a Chinese TV service tailored to Kazakh audiences. It broadcasts popular Chinese shows dubbed into Kazakh across TV and digital platforms. And it's a hit – especially among young viewers. The name Bawrsak alone makes Kazakh people smile before a show even begins.

And the story goes both ways, with Kazakh cinema continuing to shine in China. In 2024, the Kazakh film "The Divorce" (Talaq) won Best Picture and Best Actress at the Shanghai International Film Festival. The same year, a Kazakh film crew came to China's Hengdian World Studios to shoot on location.

Stories spark travel

More and more Chinese tourists are visiting Kazakhstan, not just for its nature and architecture, but because they saw something beautiful happen on screen. In 2024 alone, over 655,000 visits were made from China, a 78 percent jump from the previous year – and one largely inspired by TV shows and films.

Meanwhile, more than 4,000 young Kazakhs are studying in China, and cultural centers and exchange programs are blossoming. With silver screens as the starting point, people-to-people exchanges are spilling into real life, and more Kazakhs are heading to China – to study, to explore, to connect.

This year marks the China tourism year in Kazakhstan. A special train service has been launched connecting Xi'an and Almaty, marking a new step in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The 2025 China-Central Asia Summit in Astana is also expected to further deepen ties between China and Kazakhstan, opening up exciting new opportunities for collaboration in film and television.

As cultural exchange becomes an increasingly important pillar of regional cooperation, joint productions, talent exchanges, and localized broadcasting will likely play a bigger role in bringing our peoples closer together.

For most of us, film and television is more than mere entertainment. When the lights fade and the credits roll, the feelings linger. The Silk Road may be ancient, but the light from the projector is pointing toward a very modern future for China and Kazakhstan.