"Is virtue truly a necessity? Perhaps it is an unnecessary luxury." Arrow Video is poised to unleash the intense, violence-laden action thriller hailing from Kazakhstan, titled "Steppenwolf," onto the blu-ray platform, promising viewers an exhilarating and immersive cinematic adventure.This film is yet another masterpiece from the prolific Kazakh filmmaker, Adilkhan Yerzhanov, whose resume boasts titles such as "The Gentle Indifference of the World," "A Dark Dark Man," "Yellow Cat," and "Goliath." Having premiered at several genre festivals last year and garnered numerous accolades at the 2024 Brussels Fantastic Film Festival, "Steppenwolf" narrates a brutal tale of an unlikely duo relentless in their pursuit.
Directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov, "Steppenwolf" is described as "a nihilistic, hyper-violent redemption saga brimming with social commentary." In this dark narrative, Tamara, played by Anna Starchenko, embarks on a desperate quest to find her missing son in a town reeking of violence. Desperation leads her to hire a morally ambiguous ex-cop detective, portrayed by Berik Aitzhanov, whose ruthless tactics know no bounds. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, venturing on a bloody and bullet-riddled journey in search of redemption.
Reviews have hailed "Steppenwolf" as "sadistic, bleak, tedious, yet darkly humorous," making it a film definitely not for the faint-hearted. The disc release also features Yerzhanov's 2022 film "Goliath," available for the very first time, promising viewers an even more brutal and sadistic, yet oddly compelling watch.
Winner of the Golden Raven Grand Prix at the 2024 Brussels Fantastic Film Festival, "Steppenwolf" (also known as "Дала қасқыры" or "Dala Qasqiri" in Kazakh) tells the story of Tamara, a trauma-stricken young woman, searching for her missing son, Timka, amidst riot and violence in a small town. Desperate and undeterred, she teams up with an amoral former police investigator whose cruel methods are a testament to his lack of moral compass. Driven by an unwavering determination, Tamara resolves to see this mission through with the nihilistic detective, come what may, as they embark on a perilous road trip filled with bloodshed and bullets in their quest for salvation.
Produced by Olga Khlasheva, Aliya Mendygozhina, and Alexander Rodnyansky, "Steppenwolf" marks yet another chapter in the illustrious filmmaking career of Adilkhan Yerzhanov, whose credits also include "Rieltor," "Constructors," "The Owner," "Nochnoy Bog," "Atbai's Fight," and "Ademoka's Education," among others. Having premiered at the 2024 Rotterdam Film Festival, Arrow Video will bring "Steppenwolf" to VOD (via Apple TV) and Blu-ray starting May 26th, 2025. Anyone up for an exhilarating, albeit dark, cinematic ride?
