Nurbek Egen

Having graduated from Physics and Mathematics school, he studied acting at Arts Institute in Bishkek for two years.

In 1994 he entered the Faculty of Directing at Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK) and studied under the guidance of Vladimir Khotinenko.

Modern social and political life of Kyrgyzstan, as well as its background and cultural past, are reflected in his documentary film The Birth of Manas as a Presentiment.

Egen's social drama The Empty Home (2012) brings up one of the most relevant and sensitive issues - emigration, interpenetration and mutual rejection of different cultures, national identity.

Egen's The Wedding Chest and The Empty Home were Kyrgyzstan's submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in the years 2006 and 2012, respectively.