The last part of Aktan Abdykalykov′s autobiographical trilogy about growing up. <b>The Swing</b>(1993) dealt with his childhood; <b>The Adopted Son</b>(1998) was about his adolescence; and <b>The Chimp(2001)</b> concerns his youth. Set in a small hopeless town in the wastelands of Kirgizstan, <b>The Chimp</b> depicts a 17-year-old boy, nicknamed "chimp" because of his jug ears, as he confronts adulthood and prepares to enter the army. He experiences the emotional turmoil of his father′s drinking, the departure of his mother and younger sister, and his first stumbling efforts to deal with unrequited love. This is a profound study of the mysteries and wonders of adolescence and also the first film shot in color by former painter, Aktan Abdykalykov. This film was selected as one of the 1st Pusan Promotion Plan projects and was the director′s first film screened at Cannes. (production notes)