Nesipkul Omarbekova is a real-life witch doctor from Kazakhstan who plays the central role of Aidai, an old Kazakh Baksy who can heal people, find their souls and even tell them where their stolen cattle have been hidden. ‘Shamans’, ‘healers’, or ‘witch doctors’ are a feature of life in Kazakhstan and writer/director Guka Omarova was inspired to make Native Dancer by her regular visits to a healer each time she returns home.
The Asia Pacific Screen Academy expresses its respect for and acknowledgement of the South East Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of country, including the custodial communities on whose land works are created and celebrated by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We also pay our respects to Elders, past and present. We recognise the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples continue to play in storytelling and celebration spaces.
