Set in Southern Kazakhstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1993, Abel tells the story of a shepherd who faces new hardships when his collective farm is disbanded. When the farm where Abel spent his entire life herding sheep is disbanded in the wake of the changing political landscape, the farm’s workers wait for the farm property to be divided fairly. Unfortunately, corruption and deception run rampant among the leaders, and the rapid encroachment of capitalism proves too much for Abel and his family to handle. The film meticulously and realistically follows Abel and his family’s struggles with an unflinching, observational camera. The 13-and-a-half-minute one-shot scene in the first sequence, which intricately captures the dynamics between characters, and other well-crafted long takes showcase director Elzat Eskendir’s persistent and dedicated artistry. (PARK Sun Young)