Although many Kazakhstanis want the option to watch movies in English and with subtitles, the cinema chain Kinopark says the actual demand is very low — only about 1,000 people.
Some viewers in Kazakhstan are dissatisfied with the dubbing of foreign films and prefer to watch original versions. Reasons vary: some want to hear the authentic voices of Hollywood actors, while others use films to practice English.
«Kinopark, bring back movies in English with subtitles like before. Many people prefer the original language for better understanding and perception. I’m from Astana, and we don’t have original-language screenings at all. I don’t know how it is in other cities,» wrote a Threads user with the handle @marimasenpai.
Several commenters noted that in many countries, it’s standard practice for cinemas to show films in their original language with subtitles.
«I understand that for the older generation, subtitles might be inconvenient. But in South Korea, the USA, Japan — almost everywhere — movies are shown in their original language. In Almaty, it happens occasionally at Dostyk Plaza, Esentai Mall or Mega on Rozybakiyev Street. These screenings attract a lot of people, but they rarely last more than a week,» complained a user with the nickname @heysoyesss.
In response, Kinopark clarified that, by law, all foreign films shown in Kazakhstan must include subtitles in Kazakh.
«Most of our audience watches films in Kazakh and doesn’t speak English. From our experience, the number of people interested in original-language films is very small — fewer than 1,000,» the company stated.
However, occasional screenings of English-language films with Kazakh subtitles are still available in Almaty and Astana.
«We do show films in their original language with Kazakh subtitles from time to time, but attendance is extremely low. You can check www.kinopark.kz for such showings, including theatrical performances. Still, due to low demand, international film distributors often aren’t interested in releasing original versions in Kazakhstan,» Kinopark explained.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan continues to promote itself as a destination for international film production. The government hopes to develop the country’s film tourism industry, highlighting locations such as the forests of Eastern Kazakhstan, the outskirts of Ridder and Ust-Kamenogorsk and Burabay National Park, according to Kazakh Tourism.
