The Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) is proud to announce the digital release of the documentary film "Museum at the Crossroads." The film, which captures the birth of a new landmark cultural institution, is now available to a global audience on the museum’s official platform.

"Museum at the Crossroads" is more than just a chronicle of construction. It is an exploration of how the personal passion of the museum’s founders, Nurlan and Madina Smagulovs, transformed a private collection of 20th-century Kazakh art into an ambitious project of international scale. 

The film was directed by renowned documentary filmmaker, journalist, and producer Andrei Loshak. Work on the film spanned four years, from the initial architectural sketches to the grand opening on September 12, 2025.

"This museum is the fulfillment of not only a long-held dream but also a certain duty to society and the country. Traveling the world and visiting major museums, I always felt that Almaty deserved such a space—a place where art becomes accessible, where people meet, and where a new conversation about culture is born," shared Nurlan Smagulov, founder of the Almaty Museum of Arts.

The film showcases the architectural concept and the construction of the building at the intersection of Nazarbayev and Al-Farabi Avenues. It also delves into the complex, often invisible journey of artworks—from the artist’s vision to logistics, restoration, and curatorial decisions. The documentary features works by world-renowned masters such as Yayoi Kusama, Bill Viola, Richard Serra, Anselm Kiefer, Jaume Plensa, Yinka Shonibare, and Alicja Kwade in dialogue with Kazakhstani art.

"We are delighted to share this story with a wide audience. The film allows viewers to go behind the scenes and feel how a personal passion for art transforms into a shared cultural heritage, opening Almaty to the global artistic dialogue," noted Tatyana Khodjayeva, Director of the Almaty Museum of Arts.

Since January 2026, the film “Museum at the Crossroads” has been shown exclusively at the museum’s “Al-Farabi” and “Alatau” rooms, but now it can be viewed from anywhere in the world. 

Language: Russian with Kazakh and English subtitles

Running time: 1 hour.

Watch the film “Museum at the Crossroads” on the museum’s official YouTube channel and subscribe so you don’t miss new videos. 

The ALMA YouTube channel will serve as the museum’s platform for exclusive lectures, interviews, the museum archive, documentaries, and much more. 

Up-to-date information about the museum’s projects and events is also available on the official website and on the Almaty Museum of Arts Instagram account.

We hope you enjoy the film!