Ermek Tursunov Biography: Career, Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies, Relationship

Ermek Tursunov is a Kazakhstani writer, screenwriter, and film director known for his poignant exploration of human dignity and rural life in post-Soviet Kazakhstan.

He gained international recognition with the screenplay for The Old Man (2012), which won the Nika Award for Best Film of CIS and Baltic States and screened at major festivals.

Tursunov directed Shal (2012) and The Old Man himself, blending stark realism with philosophical depth. His literary works, including novels and short stories, reflect Kazakh oral traditions and social critique, earning him a revered place in Central Asian letters.

Profile

• Full Name: Ermek Tursunov
• Stage Name: Ermek Tursunov
• Born: July 20, 1961
• Age: 64 years old
• Birthplace: Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
• Nationality: Kazakhstani
• Occupation: Writer, Screenwriter, Film Director
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Tursunov
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $800,000

Early Life and Education

Ermek Tursunov was born on July 20, 1961, in Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Tursunov. He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

Tursunov studied journalism at Kazakh State University in Almaty, graduating in 1983, and later trained in screenwriting at the Higher Courses for Scriptwriters and Directors in Moscow. He worked as a journalist in regional newspapers before transitioning to literature and film.

Tursunov identifies with Kazakh ethnicity and though his religion is unknown.

Career

Ermek Tursunov began his career as a journalist in the 1980s, writing for Kazakh-language newspapers and publishing short stories in literary journals. He transitioned to screenwriting in the early 2000s, contributing to television dramas and documentaries.

Tursunov wrote and directed his debut feature Shal in 2012, a minimalist drama about an elderly shepherd that premiered at the Busan International Film Festival. He followed with The Old Man in 2012, adapting a Hemingway-inspired story to the Kazakh steppe, which won the Nika Award and screened at Toronto.

Tursunov published the novel Mamluk in 2013, exploring identity and exile. His early works established a signature style of sparse dialogue and vast landscapes.

Tursunov directed The Gift to Stalin in 2008 as a co-writer and expanded his literary output with collections like The Last Nomad. He adapted his own stories into screenplays, emphasizing moral dilemmas and human endurance.

Tursunov’s Kenzhe (2015) portrayed a woman’s struggle in a remote village and earned festival selections in Asia and Europe. He wrote for major Kazakh productions while maintaining independence from state-funded epics.

Tursunov taught screenwriting at Almaty workshops and mentored young writers. His scripts consistently balanced poetic realism with social commentary on poverty and tradition.

Ermek Tursunov continues to write novels and screenplays that resonate across Central Asia. He released The Old Man 2 in development and published essays on Kazakh identity.

Tursunov’s works appear in translation in Russia and Turkey. He supports independent cinema through festival juries and literary readings.

Tursunov’s legacy lies in giving voice to the marginalized and preserving steppe narratives for global audiences.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Ermek Tursunov
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Ermek Tursunov keeps his personal life private and has not disclosed details about a spouse or children. He resides in Almaty, where he writes in a modest apartment filled with books and steppe artifacts.

Filmography

• The Gift to Stalin (2008)
• Shal (2012)
• The Old Man (2012)
• Kenzhe (2015)

Net Worth

Ermek Tursunov has an estimated net worth of $800,000. His income derives primarily from screenplay sales, literary royalties, and festival prize winnings.

State grants for cultural projects and teaching honoraria provide steady revenue. Book translations and film distribution rights supplement earnings.