We watched Nomad (2005) mainly for Mark Dacascos, one of our favorite martial artists. It's too bad, he is barely recognizable in it. But it was worth watching for the novelty: a movie about the Kazakh national hero myth, filmed in Kazahkstan in the Kazakh language.
It starts with wandering wise man Jason Scott Lee looking for the child of prophecy, who can unite the tribes of the Kazakh people to fight the Jungars. The Kazakhs are too independent to get together like that, but Lee sets up a warrior school for the prophetic child and the children from all the other tribes. The child, Kuno Becker, is best buds with another kid, Jay Hernandez. They grow up together, fight together, and are the strongest and fastest of their little group. They are also both sweet on Dilnaz Akhmadieva.
It all culminates with a big Jungar attack on Turkestan, the Kazakh fortified city. There's lots of extras, lots of action, etc.
In fact, the whole movie is full of action, beautiful scenery, and good looking actors. It's a little short on acting and writing. I also had a hard time with the whole Chosen One narrative. When Hernandez wants to be recognized, everyone is like - no, Becker is the chosen one, just support him, OK? Mostly, it seems like Kazakhs are kind of jerks.
I haven't seen any Borat, so I'm not being influenced by his Kazakhstan. And this isn't a bad B-grade action/martial arts/costume drama. The setting is new and interesting, and it's fun to hear the movie in Kazakh with subtitles. But it just isn't great.
Oh, and Mark Dacascos? He plays the villain and gets killed pretty early on, with no really good fight scenes. Tough luck.
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