The Bishkek International Film Festival – Central Asia Cinema Award is sponsored by the Department of Cinematography under the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic. It awards a cash prize of KRW 10,000,000 to one Asian film in the Vision section.
The director masterfully transforms a dystopian premise into a hypnotic visual tapestry, where snow, ice, and monumental structures merge to create a spellbinding, allegorical world. Also, the film brilliantly explores themes of loneliness, memory, and the indelible human need for warmth, even in the most unforgiving environments. Lastly, the director Chen Jianying demonstrates a rare and delicate balance between a grand cinematic statement and profound psychological intimacy.