The first joint screening of the season: Tashkent Film School x ELLE Oʻzbekiston

A special screening of Convenience Store 24 (Produkty 24), a gripping social drama based on true events, took place at Kinoxona, the independent cinema and visual arts space at Tashkent Film School. The film was directed by Michael Borodin, co-founder of TFS.

At the heart of the story is Mukhabbat, a migrant worker from Uzbekistan who works in a small convenience store on the outskirts of Moscow. Many have been to such places – tiny, dimly lit shops hidden in the basements of concrete high-rises, run by migrant workers behind the counter. Yet, behind the ordinary storefront lies a harsh and unjust reality – Mukhabbat and her colleagues find themselves trapped in modern slavery, stripped of their wages, documents, and any chance of escape. 

Through fear and despair, the heroine ultimately fights for her freedom. But the road ahead is long, fraught with pain, compromises, and loss. To reclaim what she cherishes most, she must continue to fight.

The film sparked widespread discussion in the media and was recognized at the Berlin Film Festival, yet the real store it portrays remains open, still exploiting forced labor.

Following the screening, a discussion with director Michael Borodin and ELLE Oʻzbekiston CEO Oleg Drobot took place. The audience engaged in an open conversation with the filmmaker, exchanging thoughts and asking questions. The discussion later continued in the courtyard of Tashkent Film School, where Bon, a French café chain, provided fresh pastries, adding to the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of the evening. 

For more about Tashkent Film School’s activities, visit their Instagram page.

Photo: Ilya Semendeyev