Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan 2004
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Aktan Arym Kubat and Jan Rofekamp
Directed by Petr Lom
VHS, color, 51 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Women's Studies, Human Rights, Anthropology
Date Entered: 04/20/2005
Reviewed by Barbara A. Butler, Director of Library Service, Tolland Public Library, Tolland, CTBride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan is a well made documentary exploring the tradition of kidnapping women for marriage. Today Kyrgyzstan is a republic having gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Made up of many ethnic groups, the area lies between China and Russia.
The custom of kidnapping women appears to be a rural one originally intended to insure survival in remote mountain villages. Although outlawed in 1994, the practice continues and now appears to be a way for men to exert control over women. Prosecution for the crime is rare. One male relative of a prospective groom states, “It’s the Kyrgyz way -we’ll show off - show we’re strong.” Women relatives of the grooms accept the practice because they need someone to help them. One woman explained that this is their tradition and they themselves had been married in this manner. Many of the women who are kidnapped are strangers to the men who kidnap. The men get a car, drive around staking out prospective brides, and forcefully take them back to their homes. Once inside the groom’s home, the prospective bride is cajoled and shamed into accepting her fate. The film follows four kidnappings - two women who agreed to the marriages, one who refused, and the fourth who died mysteriously.
This video is well made and the quality of the audio and video are very good. It was filmed in the native Kyrgyz language with English subtitles. There is little narration from the filmmakers; the people involved tell their story. It is a shocking practice and the film depicts the agony of the women involved very well.