The documentary film “No Crosswords Will Help”, produced with the support of the Department of Nervous Diseases of KazNMU and the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was presented at the international auteur documentary film festival Artdocfest
The documentary “No Crosswords Will Help” was screened in the non-competitive program of the Artdocfest International Festival of Auteur Documentary Cinema (Riga, Latvia). This selection marked an important milestone in the film’s international recognition and confirmed the relevance of the topics of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease not only for the medical community but also for a broad audience. Participation in Artdocfest provided an opportunity to present the story of a real patient and his family on an international platform, highlighting the social and educational value of documentary cinema as a tool for raising public awareness about aging-related issues and neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by cognitive decline.
The documentary film “No Crosswords Will Help” was created with the key support of the Department of Nervous Diseases at Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and The Kazakhstan Alzheimer and Dementia Alliance (KA&DA). The Department of Nervous Diseases at KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov is the country’s leading academic clinical center in the field of neurology. Under its scientific and methodological supervision, the film ensures medical accuracy of the information presented and a correct interpretation of the clinical aspects of dementia. The department’s participation gave the project a HIGH professional standard and particular social significance.
The author of the film is Marzhan Kuandykova, a graduate of Kazakh National University of Arts with a degree in Cinematography and Television. The film was produced in 2024 within the framework of the “Tauelsizdik Urpaktary” grant under the “Daryn” State Youth Award in the “Media” category. The story is based on the real-life experience of a patient with dementia, Andrey Petrovich, and his wife Angela. Through their daily life, the film reveals the medical, psychological, and social aspects of the disease, as well as the significant burden borne by relatives of patients with cognitive impairments. The film emphasizes that dementia is not only a medical diagnosis but also a serious challenge for families and society. On average, each patient relies on at least two caregiving relatives, which involves considerable emotional, physical, and financial strain. The professional position of the Department’s specialists highlights the importance of early detection of cognitive impairment and timely correction of risk factors as key tools for reducing the prevalence of dementia.
The film received high expert appraisal from the medical community. The project continues its festival journey: on March 1, 2026, the film will participate in the Bastau International Film Festival.
The implementation of the project confirms the strategic role of the Department of Nervous Diseases of Asfendiyarov KazNMU, the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and other academic medical institutions of the country in advancing public health, strengthening scientific and educational capacity, and promoting the principles of cognitive impairment prevention.
The documentary “No Crosswords Will Help” goes beyond artistic expression and becomes a socially significant initiative aimed at protecting the dignity of patients and their families. The project contributes to overcoming the stigma associated with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases and fosters a culture of respectful and open dialogue about aging-related issues.
Thus, the film demonstrates that the modern medical community not only provides treatment but also assumes responsibility for public education, the strengthening of humanistic principles, and the development of a culture of attentive care toward cognitive health.
Link to the movie: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DgN8Um1T3FXZGkGzcff7K6TC8j-iLJFm/view?usp=sharing
