THE PORTRAIT Based on an Eastern fairy tale
Kyrgyzfilm, 1981
There once lived a certain padishah.
He lived and pined for his vanished youth
which he had spent in raids and wars.
He had inflicted many sorrows upon many people,
and fate had punished him for this.
In one of those battles, the padishah had lost an eye.
Ever since,
melancholy had forever conquered his heart.
In his palace, the padishah was surrounded by liars and sycophants.
But no one proved able to cheer up their master,
not even the palace magician, who could do miracles.
The padishah refused exquisite dishes.
Only wine
did he never refuse.
One day, a thought came into the drunken head of the padishah:
"Get me an artist!"
he exclaimed.
And the vizier hurried to carry out his ruler's order.
The vizier spent a long time looking for master artists,
and finally found them.
"Hey, artists!
Come to the padishah," ordered the vizier.
If you paint it badly,
I'll have you rot in a dungeon.
The old artist did not please the padishah,
and he ordered him to be thrown into an underground prison.
It was the turn of the elder artist's disciple.
How can I please him?
But he, too, missed the mark.
"Are you mocking me?
Seize that sycophant!"
ordered the padishah.
"I want a portrait!"
insisted the padishah.
And now it was the turn of the youngest.
"What, is this also an artist?"
asked the astonished padishah.
"Yes, lord.
I am an artist,"
declared the boy without fear,
and agreed to be executed
if his portrait should be poor.
The padishah liked the portrait!
But the little artist
had no need of riches.
More than gold he treasured freedom
and friendship.
screenwriters R. Chmonin, S. Ishenov director Sagynbek Ishenov
art director B. Zhumaliyev camera T. Mamatyusupov
composer B. Abdyraimov sound O. Abdibaitov
animators D. Alayev, Sh. Azhiyev, G. Soltobayeva, G. Sabirova
background artist L. Belova
script editor M. Gaparov production director I. Abdykulov
The End Subs by Niffiwan (animatsiya.net 2025.07)