Arts & Culture

Current-Time-Backed Film Mr. Landsbergis Takes Top Honors At IDFA

The Sound Of Corruption: Kyrgyz Bard Turns Journalistic Investigations Into Songs

A traditional Kyrgyz poet and folk musician has found a new way of reaching audiences by turning journalistic investigations about corruption into songs he performs on videos. Bolot Nazarov works in close collaboration with one of the country's top investigative teams.

After Tragic Loss, An Afghan Refugee Finds Solace In Teaching Art To Others

Afghan artist Omar Khamosh fled to Vahdat, Tajikistan, in early 2021 after he escaped from Taliban militants who threatened him and killed his father. In his new home, he opened a studio and started offering art classes to young students.

Latvian Prison, Farm Showcase Russian Films At ArtDocFest

Due to COVID-19 restrictions a women's prison in the Latvian capital, Riga, and a farm were among the unlikely venues for a Russian documentary film festival. ArtDocFest is held in Moscow every year, but amid growing repression and intimidation began holding events in Riga in 2014.

Ten Short Films About COVID: Pandemic Inspires Kyrgyz Directors

In Kyrgyzstan, five directors are making a series of short films about the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the country in the spring and summer of 2020. Ten different stories will tell about how ordinary people experienced quarantine and how the local health-care system was unready for the outbreak.

Kazakh DJ Wins Grammy Award

A 20-year-old Kazakh DJ and record producer has won a 2021 Grammy award, becoming the first Central Asian recipient of the prestigious musical accolade.

Eurovision Blues For Belarus As Politics Nixes Two Entries

Preparations in Belarus for this year's Eurovision Song Contest have been thrown into chaos by the country's political unrest.

'Alyonushka Of The Apocalypse:' Russian Monument Gets Laughed Out Of Town

In the Russian city of Novovoronezh, a poorly designed statue was so widely loathed that officials had it dismantled -- but not before it became a joke on social media. In other cities, some residents wish their own local monuments would meet the same fate.

Russian Artist's Giant Holiday Cards Live On In The Snow

Valery Melnikov was known in Russia for the huge New Year's cards he created on the ice and snow of a frozen river in the country's Far East. After he died in October at the age​ of 72 after contracting COVID-19, residents of his ho​me region of Amur decided to continue the tradition he started.

Songs Against Truncheons: What Protesters Are Singing In Belarus

Protesters in Belarus are responding to police brutality by singing. The tunes they choose tell a story about the values the demonstrators stand for.

Kyrgyz Film Denied License For Showing Corrupt Officials

The makers of a new Kyrgyz movie say they were denied a distribution license after a film commission objected to scenes showing corrupt government officials. Motherland, by director Mederbek Jalilov, tells the story of a conflict between Kyrgyz villagers and a Chinese investor.

Let It All Burn: Russian Rockers' Fight For Free Speech

Russia's experimental rock band IC3PEAK is known for laying bare millennials' malaise. Filmmaker Andrey Loshak documented how that reputation led to a 2018 standoff with police over the right to perform.