History of the Screen, Faces of Eras, and the Magic of the Frame -
Cinematic Heritage and Cultural Routes of Almaty -
The Shaken Aimanov Kazakh Cinema Museum is located on the grounds of the legendary Kazakhfilm studio in Almaty, where films that defined the national screen were created. This is not an abstract museum space, but a living part of the cinematic environment, directly connected to the filmmaking process.
The exhibition is designed to show the path of Kazakh cinema from the era of the so-called "Soviet Hollywood" to contemporary historical and auteur projects. It is a space of memory and inspiration dedicated to the formation and development of national cinema. It brings together the stories of the people and films that shaped the country's visual language and became part of Kazakhstan's cultural code.
The museum is perceived not as an archive, but as a living narrative of time, where images from the past continue to speak to the present. It's of interest to both those who grew up on classic Kazakh cinema and those just discovering this cultural phenomenon. When visiting the museum, you'll definitely see the mountains of Almaty and the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains at the foot of which it's located.
History
Almaty is rightfully considered the cradle of Kazakh cinema. It was here that creative schools were formed, studios were established, and films that became part of the national cinema's golden age were born. The Shaken Aimanov Museum has become a place where this history is brought together and understood in a space connected to real film production.
The museum opened in September 2019 and was conceived as a space open to the general public, designed to preserve the unique history of Kazakh cinema. It is based on archival and memorial materials related to the people and films that defined entire eras.
A special part of the museum's history is connected with Shaken Kenzhetayevich Aimanov: he worked at the Kazakhfilm studio for 17 years as artistic director and director. This is why the museum here is especially compelling – it seems to transport the viewer back to the real atmosphere of filmmaking, where ideas were born not in theory, but in action.
The collection and exhibition contain approximately 300 items. Among them are personal items from Aimanov's collection, souvenirs and gifts given to him as mementos of creative encounters, awards for outstanding achievements in cinematography, books, scripts for films he starred in and directed, commemorative medals, archival and theatrical photographs, and stills from films related to his creative career.
Architecture and Exhibition
The museum's exhibition space is located on the first floor of the film studio complex and is designed to immerse the viewer in the cinematic environment. The central element is the restored study of Shaken Kenzhetayevich Aimanov, complete with original furniture, a desk, an armchair, and a bookcase. This is not a pastiche, but a precise reconstruction of the master's workspace.
The display cases feature rare and priceless artifacts: Aimanov's personal belongings, original scripts, costumes, and posters, reflecting the development of cinema from the classical period to the present day. Among the unique exhibits is the camera of the legendary director Sergei Eisenstein, emphasizing the connection between Kazakh cinema and the global cinematic tradition.
Special attention is given to iconic films such as "Kyz-Zhibek," "Kazakh Khanate," and "Tomiris." The materials on display allow us to see cinema from the inside, as a craft, as an artistic endeavor, and as the result of collective labor.
Shaken Aimanov: A Man and an Era
The name Shaken Aimanov occupies a special place in the history of Kazakh cinema. He was more than just a director and actor, but a man who shaped the very foundations of national cinema. His work defined the style, tone, and humanistic direction of Kazakh cinema in the second half of the 20th century.
Shaken Kenzhetayevich Aimanov was born in 1914 and rose from the stage to the big screen. He distinguished himself equally as an actor, director, and artistic director, mastering drama, humor, and historical material. His films were distinguished by their vibrant characters, a keen sense of the era, and respect for national culture.
Aimanov worked at the Kazakhfilm studio for 17 years, playing a key role in the development of a professional film school. He mentored an entire generation of directors and actors, establishing a tradition of a caring, humane approach to the character and their destiny.
Aimanov received high state and professional awards, but his contemporaries remembered him above all as a man of rare inner culture, tact, and creative integrity. This is why the museum bearing his name is perceived not as a formal memorial, but as a continuation of his life and creative journey.
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How to get there and visit -
The Shaken Aimanov Kazakh Cinema Museum is located in Almaty at 176 Al-Farabi Avenue, on the 1st floor, on the grounds of the Kazakhfilm studio, Bostandyk District, Republic of Kazakhstan.
Altitude: 974 meters above sea level.
GPS coordinates: 43°11'49"N 76°54'05"E
The museum is easy to reach from anywhere in Almaty. The best option is to call a taxi through a mobile app (Yandex Go, inDriver). By public transport, buses going to the Kazakhfilm Studio stop (routes No. 15, 30, 31, 32, 34, 38, 63, 67, 77, 86, 101, 103, 116, 135) are available. Parking is available near the museum.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed Saturday and Sunday).
Contacts: +7 777 552 52 58
The official website of the museum and film studio
The museum is open to the general public and is suitable for independent visits or as part of cultural and excursion itineraries. We recommend checking opening hours and the availability of a guided tour before your visit.
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Atmosphere
The museum's atmosphere combines a professional rigor and creative energy. Here, one senses not just pomp and circumstance, but process, a sense of how cinema is born from labor, research, and discipline. The space invites thoughtful viewing and a leisurely dialogue with history.
Visitors note that the museum allows one to not simply view exhibits, but literally "enter" the era, feeling the rhythm of the film studio and the character of the time.
Legend and Tradition
Among the staff and visitors, there is an unspoken belief that the museum preserves the living energy of Kazakh cinema. They say that ideas are especially easily born here, and viewing archival materials takes the viewer back to the moment a film was being made, when everything was just beginning, with a blank slate and a concept.
The Shaken Aimanov Kazakh Cinema Museum is more than just a collection of exhibits. It is a dialogue between past and present, between the frame and the individual. It helps us understand how the national cinematic tradition was formed and why film remains one of the most powerful means of telling the story of a people.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Main Botanical Garden;
• Yuzhny Park;
• Jailau Golf Club;
• Park of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul;
• Big Almaty River;
• Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
