| Original Score: B | Feb 20, 2008

Omarova's thoughtful offering is not so much a visual triptych of the country but a human portrait of youthful purpose in the face of fisted danger.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 1, 2005

It takes patience to get into this movie, but it does pay off.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 12, 2005

The exotic setting and the starkness with which the young man's story is told--along with Nusuppaev's muted charisma--help it transcend the narrative commonplaces.

| Original Score: B | Jul 30, 2005

An unflinching look at poverty, expedience and harsh choices in a desolate environment.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 29, 2005

This Russian-made thriller is seriously lacking energy, which is surprising considering the material.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 29, 2005

First-time director Guka Omarova has a strong eye for telling detail and a sensitivity to Mustafa's slow awakening.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 29, 2005

A stark illustration of a cold, hard world, and a sensitive look at a kid wanting a way out.

| Original Score: B | Jul 28, 2005

Offers not just the proverbial window into village life in Kazakhstan, but a panoramic view.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 22, 2005

Nusuppaev simply isn't skilled enough to bring us along on Schizo's journey, and Omarova's sense of pace is uneven.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 8, 2005

Guka Omarova's assured first feature Schizo is a noir forced out into the sunlight.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 8, 2005

An uncommonly moving feature about characters in desperate circumstances,Schizo features an incredible debut performance by its leading actor, a Kazakhstan orphan.

| Original Score: B | Apr 2, 2005

You'd by crazy to miss this Kazakhstan import.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 1, 2005

As admirable as some of the film might be, it's ultimately too sluggish and dreary to be very memorable.

| Mar 31, 2005

An earnest also-ran.

| Mar 31, 2005

While believable and well put-together, the story is a bit too slight to fully command our attention.

Full Review | Mar 30, 2005

The director creates a taut picture of a place, and a liberating moment of choice.

| Original Score: B | Mar 30, 2005

An austere, moving tale about a young man underestimated by everyone except himself.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 25, 2005

Despite elements that can easily cause a film with much to offer to be unjustly underrated and ignored, director Omarova brings true storytelling credentials to her 1st film.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 25, 2005

...first time feature director Guka Omarova transcends [Kazakhstan's] borders with her deft story telling

| Original Score: B- | Mar 25, 2005