By Kulpash Konyrova
Astana, Aug 5 (EFE) – A true story of friendship and survival beyond ideology between two Spaniards imprisoned in a Soviet GULAG in the harsh Kazakh steppe is the focus of La tregua (The Truce), the latest film directed by Spanish filmmaker Miguel Ángel Vivas.
“La tregua is, in reality, a Kazakh story about Spaniards. It’s not the kind of film you watch with popcorn to simply enjoy. It demands thought, understanding, and awareness,” said Erlan Bekhozhin, the local producer of the film, in remarks to EFE.
Backed by Netflix, the film will be featured at the upcoming San Sebastián Film Festival, scheduled to run from September 19 to 27.
“The film conveys a message of tolerance and respect for those who think differently than we do (…) Ideologies must never become an obstacle to human understanding,” added Spanish executive producer Emilio A. Pina.
A friendship forged between enemies
Two Spaniards from opposing sides of the Spanish Civil War end up imprisoned in the notorious Karlag labor camp in the Karaganda region, which held hundreds of thousands of prisoners from around the world between 1937 and 1959.
They form an unlikely friendship with a Kazakh intellectual, played by Farabi Akkozov, a Kazakh actor currently living in Spain, despite the inhumane conditions of the camp.
“We held a casting call across Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any Spanish-speaking Kazakh actors,” Bekhozhin acknowledged.
The Spanish cast includes Miguel Herrán, known for La casa de papel (Money Heist), where he played Río, and Arón Piper, famous for his role in the Netflix series Elite.
A timely story, a rocky shoot
Pina emphasized the film’s relevance to today’s world.
“Even though the story takes place in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’80s, it feels acutely relevant today, in an era of extreme polarization and ideological division.”
“It always struck us as a timely and necessary story that underscores the importance of the individual over ideology. Two very different men must search for what unites them, not what divides them,” he said.
The production faced significant challenges. After seven years of development, the COVID-19 pandemic and other obstacles forced the team to abandon plans to film in Kazakhstan’s steppe, opting instead to build a massive set in Dima, a village in the Basque province of Biscay.
“The incredibly realistic camp, inspired by actual labor camps, took nearly six months to construct. But the toughest challenge throughout filming was adapting the shoot to the weather, constantly navigating rain and high winds, since most scenes take place outdoors or in direct interaction with the environment,” he explained.
A declassified Soviet secret finally told
Bekhozhin noted that the list of Spanish citizens imprisoned between 1941 and 1954 remained classified during the Soviet era and only became public when Kazakh authorities, “in a gesture of goodwill,” handed the documents to then-Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2013.
“Many descendants were finally able to learn where their relatives had been imprisoned and where they died,” he said.
Spanish producer César Benítez, inspired by the documentary “The Forgotten of Karaganda,” proposed adapting the story into a feature film.
“When you see what’s happening around the world today—in different corners of the planet—you realize that people can no longer talk, listen, find common ground, or forgive. There is no dialogue,” said Bekhozhin.
“If the film’s message—that it’s always possible to find common ground—resonates with viewers and world leaders who make decisions that affect the lives of so many people, then mission accomplished.”
Steppe hospitality and the Kazakh spirit
In addition to its Spanish narrative, director Vivas sought to capture the spirit of the Kazakh people, known for their hospitality and resilience.
“Empathy is essential to survival in the harsh steppe, and it’s a trait shared by everyone, regardless of nationality or religion,” said Bekhozhin.
He noted that many survivors still consider Kazakhstan their second homeland, grateful to the people of Central Asia’s largest republic for helping save their lives.
In one scene, a Kazakh family invites the Spanish prisoners into their home to share a dastarkhan—a traditional feast showcasing the region’s finest dishes.
“With this film, we wanted to tell the world who the Kazakh people are,” he added.
Indeed, the Spanish actors speak several lines in Kazakh throughout the film, and their commitment deeply impressed the local producer.
“Spaniards, because of their mentality, are very close to Kazakhs: open, passionate, and joyful.”
EFE