Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In Kyrgyzstan, domestic violence is on the rise, and conservative groups are gaining political influence. It is within this context that 21-year-old singer and activist Zere Asylbek fearlessly speaks out against the injustices that women face in her country. In this intimate, verité-style film, Zere reflects on her experience of becoming an overnight viral sensation, causing her to receive death threats and make international headlines.
Leigh Iacobucci has been working for over 20 years in television and documentary film production across the U.S. and Switzerland. Most recently, she has produced short films for various UN agencies and is based in Geneva. A Free Daughter of Free Kyrgyzstan is her first feature film.
Directed by Leigh Iacobucci
Duration 65’ | Russian, Kyrgyz, English
Production Country, Year Switzerland, 2025 | Director of Photography Beka Asanakunov, Leigh Iacobucci | Sound Leigh Iacobucci | Editors Leigh Iacobucci, Lorenzo Valmontone | Producer Leigh Iacobucci | Music Zere Asylbek
In Kyrgyzstan, domestic violence is on the rise, and conservative groups are gaining political influence. It is within this context that 21-year-old singer and activist Zere Asylbek fearlessly speaks out against the injustices that women face in her country. In this intimate, verité-style film, Zere reflects on her experience of becoming an overnight viral sensation, causing her to receive death threats and make international headlines.
Leigh Iacobucci has been working for over 20 years in television and documentary film production across the U.S. and Switzerland. Most recently, she has produced short films for various UN agencies and is based in Geneva. A Free Daughter of Free Kyrgyzstan is her first feature film.
Directed by Leigh Iacobucci
Duration 65’ | Russian, Kyrgyz, English
Production Country, Year Switzerland, 2025 | Director of Photography Beka Asanakunov, Leigh Iacobucci | Sound Leigh Iacobucci | Editors Leigh Iacobucci, Lorenzo Valmontone | Producer Leigh Iacobucci | Music Zere Asylbek
