Nomad: The Warrior

Nomad: The Warrior (Kazakh: Көшпенділер, Köşpendiler) is a 2005 Kazakh historical epic film written and co-produced by Rustam Ibragimbekov and directed by Sergei Bodrov and Ivan Passer. The film had a budget of USD 34 million, which was invested by the government of Kazakhstan to be used in the film production, making it the most expensive Kazakh film ever made. Its production involved approximately 13,000 units of prop weapons, 150 Kazakh and Dzungar yurts, more than 20 principal characters, around 300 supporting roles, and about 2,000 extras. The film’s presentation took place on 6 July 2005 in Astana, with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. It was released on March 16, 2007, in North America, distributed by The Weinstein Company. Two versions of the film were shot: one in Kazakh by Temenov for distribution in Kazakhstan and one in English by Passer and Bodrov for distribution worldwide. The film was Kazakhstan's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 79th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist. It was also the last film that Passer directed before his death in 2020.