Mirlan Abdykalykov (b. 1982) studied journalism at Kyrgyz National University (1999-2004) but he has been active in the film industry since childhood. In 1993 he landed his first lead role in Swing (Altybakan, 1993), directed by Aktan Abdykalykov, today known by the pseudonym Aktan Arym Kubat. Their cooperation continued on further projects: The Adopted Son (Beshkempir, 1998 – screened in the East of the West section at KVIFF 1999) premiered at Sundance and The Chimp (Maimil, 2001) competed in t