The film by director Dalmira Tilepbergenova shared the award with Indian movie Thithi. The festival’s main program included competitions of Asian and Indian movies, as well as films shot in Kannada, one of the most ancient languages of the Indian subcontinent.
The 8th annual BIFFES kicked off on January 28 and ended February 4, featuring motion pictures from about 20 nations.
Released in 2015, Under Heaven tells a story of two brothers, living in a remote Kyrgyz village. Their conflict over a mutual love interest takes a Biblical scale, with one brother being modest like Abel and another drowning in anger, just like Cain.