07 July 2011 | 09:55

Second ASTANA International Action Film Festival

Kazakhstan actress Karlygash Mukhametzhanova and Russian actor Marat Basharov hosted the Festival opening ceremony. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

The second ASTANA International Action Film Festival was held in Astana on July 1-5, 2011. The Festival was organized by Timur Bekmambetov.

The organizers made a special gift to Astana citizens prior to the Capital Day (July 6). A movie fest gathered world-famous stars, famous actors, filmmakers, artists, producers and potential investors in Astana. The Festival was a good reason to show a dynamically developing capital of Kazakhstan to its guests and present the best action movies to the audience.

The star of Tarantino's Kill Bill giving autograph to his fans. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

One of rare Steven Seagal's smiles. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Steven Seagal is always concentrated. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Michelle Rodriguez leaving autographs on traditional festival plates. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Michelle Rodriguez: "I will take DVDs with local movies with me and try to find out more about this culture. This is a good chance to get to know other cultures and tell about ours." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Gosha Kutsenko: "Everyone loves and respects Kazakhstan. You have a great movie history, Kazakhfilm. This is part of my childhood, my youth, part of my Soviet past, that nobody will take away from me." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Famous filmmaker Egor Konchalovsky on the red carpet. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

A fan got through the security to get an autograph of Yekaterina Strizhenova, a Russian actress and TV-hostess. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Dmitry Nagiyev accompanied by ladies. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

People's Artist of the USSR Asanali Ashimov. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Kazakhstan actor Farkhat Abdraimov. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Assante: "If there is a studio, you will be always on top. You will be like me!" Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Assante: "If you are able to laugh, you connect to your inner self to make your problems get solved and help yourself. That is why there are 16 political parties in Italy." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Assante: "Who eats more meat in Kazakhstan, wolves or people?" Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Assante: "I live in a farm. I have animals and I do a lot of physical work." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Timur Bekmambetov: "From the very beginning we should make innovative films." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Timur Bekmambetov mulls a modern computer graphics studio in Kazakhstan. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Timur Bekmambetov gave special awards for contribution into Kazakhstan cinema to Asanali Ashimov, Michael Madsen, Steven Seagal, Viktor Verzhbitsky and Gosha Kutsenko. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Maestro of Kazakhstan cinema Asanali Ashimov greets the guests of the ceremony. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Ashimov: "There are improvements. Improvements are the most important (in cinema)." Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

A movie Rock Head starring famous boxer Nakolay Valuyev was presented at the festival. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Seagal: "I'm facing financial challenges with movies because of the crisis in America. It is not a good time for the movie industry itself. I really want to make a movie about Genghiz Khan." Photo by

Steven Seagal wants to transfer his knowledge of marshal arts to Kazakhstan experts. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Egor Konchalovsky before Kazakhstan premier of his movie Return to A. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

Yevgeniy Stychkin and Olga Sutulova in a nomad's culture park. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

The Hollywood star Michelle Rodriguez liked Kumys (mare's milk) more than Shubat (camel's milk). Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

The first ASTANA International Action Film Festival was held in Astana last year. World-famous celebrities who came to Astana that time included Dolph Lundgren, Hilary Swank, Mike Tyson. Photo by Vladimir Dmitriyev©

TENGRI LIFE

TENGRI TRAVEL