The Bishkek Diaries

Zanré Reed
  • 5.0 (5)
  • DOCUMENTARY

A series of narrative audio documentaries guided by themes of transit, borders, identity, and transition, told from the Post-Soviet city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Created and hosted by Zanré Reed from South Africa.

Episodes

  1. Transitions (Inspired by The Secret Life of Ghosts)

    10/26/2024

    Transitions (Inspired by The Secret Life of Ghosts)

    In the final episode of The Bishkek Diaries, we explore themes of transition in a liminal co-living community where friends come and go. Ivan curates a museum of memories, preserving belongings left behind by former housemates. As spring arrives in the streets of Bishkek, Valentin captures the changing seasons through his window, photographing a single tree in varying states of transition. Following this trajectory, he creates a series of intimate portraits, photographing his housemates in the nude, capturing their own liminality. We think of life as a spiral, as opposed to a straight line.  This episode was made alongside a documentary film with the title "The Secret Life of Ghosts" also directed by Zanré Reed. The film is in postproduction.

    19 min

  2. 06/25/2024

    Trust

    A puzzle of meandering conversations and funny situations from the streets of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the theme of trust.

    27 min

  3. 02/25/2024

    Borders

    Pitching a tent in a "Spiritual Zone" reveals something deeper about borders and the politics of place. We attend a contested soccer game between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Bishkek - with their border conflict in the background. Mansoora from Afghanistan processes the impossibility of emigrating to the USA with her beloved cat. I attempt to make a casual trip to Almaty, Kazakstan for the weekend with my South African passport.

    20 min
  4. The Future

    12/25/2023

    The Future

    A dystopian novel by Chingiz Aitmatov is curiously signed years into the future by his son. A mysterious giant egg becomes a metaphor for future, surprise, and fairy tales. Meanwhile, "Sarry-Chelek" evokes unknown adventures that unfold precisely because "the pass is closed."

    12 min

  5. 10/25/2023

    (De)colonization in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

    Kyrgyz voices explore the topic of Russian colonization and how it manifests through perceptions of the Kyrgyz and Russian language in the capital.

    25 min

  6. 09/25/2023

    The Dilemma of Home

    I explore the experiences of Afghan students who have not been able to return home since the Taliban recaptured Afghanistan in 2021. Will Bishkek feel like home?

    16 min
  7. In the Backseat

    08/24/2023

    In the Backseat

    Join me on a journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as we explore the surprising and symbolic meaning of seatbelts—from the backseat of a Yandex taxi in Bishkek

    10 min
  • 7 Episodes

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A series of narrative audio documentaries guided by themes of transit, borders, identity, and transition, told from the Post-Soviet city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Created and hosted by Zanré Reed from South Africa.

Information

  • Creator
    Zanré Reed
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zanré Reed
  • Show Website
    The Bishkek Diaries