Cadet (film)
| Cadet | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Kazakh | Кадет |
| Directed by | Adilkhan Yerzhanov |
| Screenplay by | Adilkhan Yerzhanov |
| Produced by | Damir Yedilov |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Yerkinbek Pturaliyev |
| Edited by | Arif Tleuzhanov |
| Music by | Sandro Di Stefano |
Production company | Tiger Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 126 minutes |
| Country | Kazakhstan |
| Languages |
|
Cadet (Kazakh: Кадет) is a 2024 Kazakhstani horror film written and directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov. The film follows Alina and her son Serik, as she begins teaching history at a prestigious military academy, where his son also enrolls as a cadet. Serik struggles to fit in amid the rigid rules and cold environment, and soon finds himself facing bullying from his peer.
It has its world premiere in International Competition at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival on 1 November 2024.[1] It was released in Kazakhstani cinemas on 2 January 2025.[2]
The film was selected to represent Kazakhstan in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards,[3][4] but was not on the list of films accepted by the academy.[5]
Synopsis
Alina, a history teacher, relocates with her son Serik to a remote part of Kazakhstan to work at a prestigious military cadet school. Serik struggles to fit in due to his gentle personality, facing rejection and bullying from classmates. Despite warnings from another parent, later revealed to be deceased, Alina remains determined to help her son succeed, even as he suffers under the school's harsh discipline and pressure to conform.
The discovery of a student's bloodied body triggers a police investigation, with Serik unexpectedly implicated. Soon after, Serik undergoes a dramatic transformation, excelling in military training and adopting the school's rigid ideals, which deeply unsettles Alina. As strange and supernatural events unfold, the investigator, who was skeptical initially joins Alina and Serik in exploring the school's basement, hoping to uncover the truth behind its disturbing influence.
Cast
- Anna Starchenko
- Sharip Serik
- Ratmir Yusupzhanov
- Alexei Shemes
- Bakytzhan Kaptogay
Production
The film was shot during the year 2024.[3]
Release
Cadet competed at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival and had its world premiere on 1 November 2024.[6] It had its European premiere in the Forum section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 18 February 2025.[7][8]
On 11 April 2024, it was presented in the Kaleidoscope Midnight Heat section of the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival.[9]
The film was also screened in the Afterhours section of the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 2025 [10][11]
Reception
Panos Kotzathanasis reviewing for Asian Movie Pulse at Berlinale, praised the chemistry between Anna Starchenko as Alina and Serik Sharipov as Serik and cinematography of Yerkinbek Pturaliyev. He wrote, "cinematography captures the suffocating setting with artistry and is definitely among the best aspects here." Concluding he opined that the film was a "competent effort" but it "didn't not reach the level of Yerzhanov's previous works."[12]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo International Film Festival | 6 November 2024 | Grand Prix | Cadet | Nominated | [13] |
| Asian Film Awards | 2025 | Best Sound | Zurab Kurmanbayev | Nominated | [14] |
See also
- List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Kazakhstani submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (25 September 2024). "Tokyo Film Festival Unveils Competition Line-up; 'My Favourite Cake' To Screen In Women's Empowerment Section". Deadline. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Jakisheva, Ralina (29 September 2025). "Kazakhstan nominates the film "Cadet" for the Oscars". Kazinform. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Фильм «Кадет» выдвинут на «Оскар-2026» от Казахстана, но история с Сериком Шарипом напоминает о себе" [The film "Cadet" has been nominated for the 2026 Oscars from Kazakhstan, but the story of Serik Sharip remains a constant.]. azh.kz (in Russian). 29 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Ellie Calnan, Ben Dalton, Mona Tabbara, Orlando Parfitt, Michael Rosser and Tim Dams (30 September 2025). "Oscars best international feature 2026: all the films submitted so far". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Pond, Steve (24 October 2025). "Oscars International Category Sends 86 Films to Voters". TheWrap. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ^ "Cadet". Tokyo International Film Festival. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Scott Roxborough (16 January 2025). "Berlin Forum Unveils Full 2025 Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Cadet". Berlinale. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Cadet". Hong Kong International Film Festival. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Georg Szalai (20 June 2025). "Cannes Winners, Serbian Miniseries 'Absolute 100' Join KVIFF Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Cadet". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Kotzathanasis, Panos (22 February 2025). "Film Review: Cadet (2024) by Adilkhan Yerzhanov". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ Patrick Frater (6 November 2024). "Disturbing Dream-Like Drama'Teki Cometh'Dominates Tokyo Festival Prize List". Variety. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Patrick Brzeski (10 January 2025). "Asian Film Awards: South Korea's 'Exhuma' Leads Nominations, Sammo Hung Named Jury President". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 September 2025.