The film’s title comes from a Kyrgyz phrase that literally means “grab and run”—a reference to the disturbing practice of bride kidnapping. Through a deeply moving narrative, Ala Kachuu sheds light on this social issue with sensitivity and urgency.
Ala Kachuu — Film Poster

🎬 About the Film

  • Directed by: Maria Brendle
  • Runtime: 38 minutes
  • Recognition: Academy Award® Nominee — Best Live Action Short Film
  • Awards: Cleveland International Film Festival (Audience Choice Award), Rhode Island International Film Festival, and many others

📅 Event Details

  • When: September 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM IST
  • Where: Online (link will be shared with registered participants)

🙏 Special Thanks

This screening is made possible through the kind support of Filmgerberei.

🔗 Register Here

Click here to register and receive your invite.

Update How It Went

We kicked off our first screening with an outstanding short film — and the post-film discussion was just as powerful. Over 20 people joined, making it a truly memorable evening.

The conversation that followed went far beyond the film itself. Ala Kachuu opened the door to a broader reckoning with oppressive practices — we talked about how deeply misogynistic parts of Indian society still are, how bride kidnapping isn’t as distant from our own realities as we might think, and how many of our grandmothers faced their own quiet versions of coercion and erasure. It was raw, honest, and exactly the kind of dialogue we hoped this club would spark.

Grateful to everyone who joined. Until the next one.

Stills from the Screening

Still from Ala Kachuu — kneading dough

Still from Ala Kachuu — “That is our wish for them.”