"Almaty? Ok to live with smog?" was shown for the first time in the southern capital. The film highlights the problems of air pollution and its serious consequences for the health of city residents.
The authors of the documentary talked to Almaty residents, scientists, environmentalists, doctors and car owners and found out the heroes' opinions on the problem. People point to the economic aspects of the issue, note the deterioration of the situation and plan to move.
For some, studying air quality has become routine: they work in laboratories and monitor sensor readings. Others do not notice the problem.
"We and our children breathe the same air, and it is a basic right to be able to live in a city with a clean environment. Working on this project has become a personal challenge for me. At first, I was sad to see how scientists have been trying for years to prove the need for systemic solutions. But now I believe that through dialogue and joint efforts we can change the situation. We do not want to leave here because we love this city and plan to develop it," director Kanat Beisekeyev noted at the premiere.
The film was created as part of the activities of the Almaty Air Initiative foundation. The project works to improve the environmental situation in Almaty with plans to expand throughout the country. Almaty Air Initiative was organized by Arsen Tomsky, founder of inDrive, and Kairat Akhmetov, co-founder of Sergek Group and CEO of Freedom Telecom.
The foundation's 2024 research also features in the film. According to its data, 57% of Almaty residents note a deterioration in air quality over the past few years, and 42% believe that the situation in their area is bad or very bad. Every sixth resident of the metropolis is thinking about moving due to the deplorable ecology.
"The air problem, like other social challenges, requires political will, infrastructural changes and public support. Our projects are aimed at accelerating these processes through technology, art, education, science and cooperation with the state. The film demonstrates this approach: using art, we involve all parties and initiate a dialogue," says Zhuldyz Saulebekova, executive director of Almaty Air Initiative.
After the screening, viewers took part in a discussion with the film's creators, environmentalists and activists.