The film is directed by Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi, a Kyrgyz filmmaker whose works have been featured at several international film festivals, often addressing social issues from a local perspective.
The story follows Aza and Samat, two young men working as drug couriers for a trafficking organization operating along the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. During one of their assignments, they encounter Nazik, a young woman who has just escaped from a human trafficking ring. Aza’s decision to help Nazik puts him in direct conflict with the organization he serves, setting off a chain of events marked by danger and difficult choices.
Filmed in the rugged mountains and remote borderlands of Central Asia, the film is set against the backdrop of a region located near international drug trafficking routes. The narrative unfolds within a stark contrast between the vast, desolate landscapes and the suffocating tension of urban criminal networks, reflecting both the characters’ inner turmoil and the volatile situations they face. Through the dynamics between Aza, Samat, and Nazik, the film explores themes such as human trafficking, narcotics, power relations, vulnerability, and moral decision-making in uncertain circumstances.
Deal at the Border was previously featured at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France before being selected for DANAFF III. In Da Nang, the film left a strong impression within the Asian Competition program and was selected by the Jury to receive the highest honor in its category.
