Activists criticize film director Kantemir Balagov for rejecting Circassian identity

Circassian activist Andzor Kabard believes that residents of Kabardino-Balkaria will unlikely forget film director Kantemir Balagov saying that he does not consider himself to be a Kabardian. Circassians feel indignation about the film director's attempt to assess the cultural baggage of the people, said Asker Sokht, the deputy chairman of the "Adyge Khase". The Kantemir Balagov's statements are dictated by the conjuncture and the desire to conform to "European trends." This opinion was voiced by cultural expert Sulieta Kusova.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported how in his interview to the "Kommersant", the film director has said that he does not consider himself to be a Kabardian, although he is a representative of the nation.

Circassian activist Andzor Kabard, who lives in the US, believes that people are disappointed in their countryman.

According to Asker Sokht, the deputy chairman of the public organization "Adyge Khase" for the Krasnodar Territory, the Adyg people's reaction was acute, since the statements voiced by Kantemir Balagov seemed to be unexpected. Asker Sokht does not see a tendency to reject ethnic identity in Northern Caucasus.

Sulieta Kusova, the president of the "Kunaki" film festival, believes that in Northern Caucasus, the trend among young people is completely different, and attachment to one's own people prevails.

In case if Kantemir Balagov rejects his roots, he will be depersonalized as a film director, Sulieta Kusova believes. She is also concerned about the fate of other Caucasian students of Alexander Sokurov.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.