The 1932-1933 Famine in the Documentary Cinema of the Republic of Kazakhstan: An Analysis of Competing Narratives

The article examines the competing narratives about the 1932–1933 famine in Kazakhstan, promoted by different mnemonic actors through documentary cinema. The aim of the study is to identify the differences in the representation of this historical trauma by comparing two films: “Asharshylyk” and “Zulmat”. The author conducts a narrative analysis, examining the thematic repertoire, narrative techniques, and visual strategies, as well as performing an analysis of audience reception based on YouTube user comments. The research demonstrates both common elements and fundamental divergences in the cinematic interpretations of this historical fact, which reflect ideological and historiographical controversies and the positions of specific actors. It is concluded that documentary cinema can serve as a significant tool in the struggle for collective memory, and the analysis of audience responses helps to identify current trends in the perception of this tragic event.