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 (2008) by her regular visits to a healer each time she returns home.

Accolades

Nesipkul Omarbekova
Best Performance by an Actress, 2008

Nesipkul Omarbekova

Best Performance by an Actress, 2008

Nesipkul Omarbekova

Native Dancer (Baksy)

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…

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Films

Native Dancer
2008

Native Dancer (Baksy)

Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, France, Germany
2008

Native Dancer (Baksy)

Aidai the baksy, or witch doctor, lives in the mountains and helps people. She uses mysterious actions to cure the sick and to give infertile…

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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 emerging. We recognise the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples continue to play in storytelling and celebration spaces.

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