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Timur Bekmambetov is a Kazakh-Russian film director known for vampire franchise Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006).

He was born Timur Nuruakhitovich Bekmambetov on June 25, 1961, in Guryev, Soviet Union (now Atyrau, Kazakhstan). His father, Nuruakhit Bekmambetov, is a manager at Guryev Energy company; his mother, Mira Bogoslavskaya, was a journalist. Young Bekmambetov was raised along the Ural river in Kazakhstan, Soviet Union.

In 1978, aged 17, he moved to Moscow. There from 1978 to 1980 he attended the Moscow Energy Institute, but he was more interested in art and movies. Eventually, he dropped out of college, and joined the cultural milieu around such artists as Anatoli Zverev and Oskar Rabin. Then, from 1982 to 1987 he studied painting at Tashkent Theatrical Art Institute, graduating in 1987 as artist of theatre and film. From 1987 to 1988 he served in the Red Army stationed at artillery division near Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan. Then he worked as set designer at "Ilkhom" Drama Theatre in Tashkent, and at Uzbek Film Studio.

Since 1989 he has been directing commercials. In 1992 Bekmambetov made his directorial and writing debut with Peshawar Waltz (1994), a film about the Soviet war in Afghanistan which received awards at several festivals in Europe. From 1992 to 1997 he made 18 commercials for the Russian bank "Imperial" and was named best young director of 1997 by Russian Film Academy. In 1999 he started his own film company, Bazelevs Production.

His big break came with the success of the vampire franchise Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006), which he directed during 2003 - 2005. Both films became international blockbusters, and received several awards and nominations. The third installment, Twilight Watch (2009), is slated for release in 2009.

Since 2005, Bekmambetov has been working in Hollywood, writing, directing and producing several flicks, such as Wanted (2008), 9 (2009), and The Red Star. Back in Russia, he made another success directing The Irony of Fate 2 (2007), a romantic comedy based on the Soviet era characters and capitalizing on nostalgia among some of the post-Soviet audiences.

Timur Bekmambetov established himself as a master of dense narrative. His films often surprise the viewers with eerie details, hectic pace and unusual twists and turns, and remain a challenge even for experienced audiences.

Dr. Wladimir Klitschko is founder, hotelier, investor, endowment donor and well known internationally for holding the record as the longest reigning heavyweight boxing world champion. He was born in Kazakhstan and is Ukrainian citizen.

After ending his sports career in 2017, it became his mission to share the knowledge he gained in 30 years of competitive sport. Together with his team of Klitschko Ventures, the company he founded in 2016, he developed his philosophy of life "Challenge Management" into the method FACE the Challenge. Its 4 core skills Focus, Agility, Coordination and Endurance show the way to willpower.

He has made brief guest appearances in a few movies, e.g. Ocean's Eleven ,Keinohrhasen, Pain & Gain etc.. After appearing mostly in business surroundings for years, in 2021 he is starring in Amazon Prime Video's "Celebrity Hunted" because he wants to show a maximum of people what you can achieve with pure willpower.

He teaches at "CAS Change & Innovation Management" course of University of St. Gallen and has become a bestselling author with his book "FACE the Challenge - Discover the Willpower in You!", published in 2020. In 2012, he opened his hotel 11 Mirrors, a renowned boutique and design hotel in the historic center of Kiew. For over 20 years, Kiew has also been the location of the Klitschko Foundation, aiming to make a positive impact for children and young people in Ukraine.

Pavel Priluchnyy was born on 5 November 1987 in Chimkent, Chimkentskaya oblast, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Shymkent, Ongtustik Qazaqstan oblysy, Kazakhstan]. He is an actor, known for Silver Spoon (2014), Zakrytaya shkola (2011) and Hooked (2009). He has been married to Zepyur Brutyan since 2022. They have one child. He was previously married to Agata Mutsenietse.

Lena Tronina was born in Leninogorsk, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Ridder, Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Tatort (1970) and Peripherie (2016).

Yankovsky was named best actor in a 1984 reader poll by Soviet Screen for his role in "In Love Because He Wants to Be." He was awarded the State Prize in 1987 for his role in "Flying Asleep and Awake." In 1989 he received the Vasiliev State Prize for his role in "The Kreutzer Sonata." Yakovsky was given the lifetime achievement award at the 1983 All-Union Film Festival. He won the best actor NIKA in 1991, and in the same year was named People's Artist of the Soviet Union. Yankovsky was born in Kazakhstan and studied at the Slonov Theater Academy in Saratov. In 1965 he joined the Saratov Drama Theater, moving to Moscow's Lenkom Theater in 1973. He has presided over the Kinotavr Russian Open Film Festival since 1993.

Adilkhan Yerzhanov was born on 7 August 1982 in Dzhezkazgan, Karaganda Oblast, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Jezkazgan, Kazakhstan]. Adilkhan is a director and writer, known for The Owners (2014), A Dark, Dark Man (2019) and The Gentle Indifference of the World (2018). Adilkhan is married to Inna Smailova.

Stasia Caz was born on 21 January 1988 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Polar (2019), Below Her Mouth (2016) and Hemlock Grove (2013).

Yerden Telemissov was born on 25 May 1975 in Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Kazakhstan]. He is an actor and director, known for Slow Horses (2022), McMafia (2018) and Warrior (2019).

Lev Prygunov was born on 23 April 1939 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. He is an actor, known for The Sum of All Fears (2002), The Saint (1997) and K-19: The Widowmaker (2002).

Yuriy Chursin was born on 11 March 1980 in Priozersk, Dzhezkazgan region, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Kazakhstan]. He is an actor, known for Izobrazhaya zhertvu (2006), Pobeg (2010) and The Three Musketeers (2013).

Eugen Bauder was born on 5 March 1986 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. He is an actor, known for Turkish for Beginners (2012), Fucking Berlin (2016) and Unsere Jungs - Auch Strippen will gelernt sein (2018).

Sergei Dvortsevoy was born on 18 August 1962 in Chimkent, Chimkent Oblast, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Shymkent, South Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan]. He is a director and writer, known for Ayka (2018), Bread Day (1998) and Tulpan (2008).

Susanna Simon was born on 23 July 1968 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Dr. Molly & Karl (2008), Godless Youth (2017) and Tatort (1970).

Samal Yeslyamova was born on 1 September 1984 in Petropavlovsk, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Ayka (2018), Papa umer v subbotu (2025) and Tulpan (2008).

Darezhan Omirbayev was born on 15 March 1958 in Uyuk, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Uyuk, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan]. He is a director and writer, known for Killer (1998), Cardiogram (1995) and Akyn (2021).

Vladimir Tolokonnikov was born on 25 June 1943 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. He was an actor, known for Khottabych (2006), Heart of a Dog (1988) and Mechty idiota (1993). He was married to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. He died on 15 July 2017 in Moscow, Russia.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky was born on 25 April 1946 in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Almaty, Kazakhstan]. He was an actor, known for Korabl dvoynikov (1997), Parizhskaya lyubov Kosti Gumankova (2004) and Reportery (2008). He was married to Galina Lebedeva. He died on 6 April 2022 in Moscow, Russia.

Julia Pogrebinska is a Polish actress of Kazakh origin. She moved to Poland at age 17. She gained early recognition for her role as Paulina Sobolewska in the TV series Pierwsza milosc (2004). She is also known for portraying Ewa Witynska in the TV series Wataha (2014). In addition to her acting career, Pogrebinska is a yoga instructor and has been involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Raisa Ryazanova was an Honored Artist of Russia (1993), People's Artist of Russia (2005). In 1964 she graduated from the Ryazan Musical Pedagogical School (accordion class). About a year Ryazanova worked as a teacher in a music school, then she entered the GITIS for the course of Platon Vladimirovich Leslie. In 1969 she graduated from the State Institute of Theatrical Arts of A.V. Lunacharskiy. Since 1969 Raisa Ryazanova worked under contracts, since 1979 she was an actress of the film studio named after M. Gorky. In the difficult 90-ies, in the absence of roles in the cinema, she earned as a taxi driver. Driving license Ryazanova received in 1986. She has won a cup "Avtoledi-2003" in competitions of the Moscow amateur racers. Was married to a classmate for GITIS Yuri Perov, they had a son - Danila Perov (born in 1969) - an actor. Raisa Ryazanova is the laureate of the State Prize of the USSR for the role of Antonina in the film "Moscow does not believe in tears" (1981).

In 1977 Rachid Nougmanov graduated from an architectural institute. In 1984 he entered the VGIK Moscow Film Institute. His first feature The Needle (1988) initiated what was to become in cinematic history: the 'Kazakh New Wave'. Claiming recognition abroad at festivals including Berlin, Toronto and Sundance, the film took First Prize at Nuremberg and was released in the USSR with 1,000 prints in circulation (the resulting boxoffice number - over 30 million admissions). The film's star, Victor Tsoi, was voted Best Actor of the Year 1989 by the national press. From 1989 to 1992, Nougmanov served as President of the Union of Kazakh Filmmakers. In 1992-1993, he wrote, directed and produced The Wild East, which won international acclaim in venues spanning from Venice to Los Angeles to Tokyo, and was honored in Valenciennes, France with the Prix Special du Jury. Since 1993 Rachid Nougmanov resides in Paris.

Svetlana Pismichenko was born on 28 November 1964 in Burli village, Kustanai region, USSR, Kazakh SSR [now Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Brother (1997), Morphine (2008) and The Castle (1994).

Viktor Lakisov was born on 23 July 1976 in Tselinograd, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Astana, Kazakhstan]. Viktor is a director and assistant director, known for Blood Hockey, Quackerz (2016) and Night Watch (2004).

Elena Drapeko was born on 29 September 1948 in Uralsk, West Kazakhstan Oblast, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Oral, Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Belaya doroga (1975), Bezottsovshchina (1977) and Window to Paris (1993).

Zhaidarbek Kunguzhinov (Jaydok) was born on August 6th, 1969 in Kazakhstan. He is the most famous stunt coordinator, fight coordinator and horse master in CIS and Central Asia. In 2000 he founded the "Nomad Stunts" on the basis of horse-acrobatic "Nomad" performance of the Kazakh State Circus. He is the Taurus World Stunt Award Nominee in Los Angeles, 2017, has the Medal of Honor awarded by Art Martial Magazine, USA, the winner of Bronze and Silver Lions at the International Festival of Equestrian Sports in China in 1993 and 2001. The winner of "Sports Oscar" from Martial Arts Academy in Atlantic City in 2013. Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Knight of the Kurmet Order.

Asel Sagatova was born on 16 October 1984 in Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, USSR [now Semey, Kazakhstan]. She is an actress, known for Hunting the Phantom (2014), Dolphin Jump (2009) and Racketeer (2007).