Description
Challenge
Our strategic objective was to present the new terminal of Almaty International Airport as a key symbol of Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s development. The task went beyond demonstrating the scale of an infrastructure project: we needed to give it an emotional dimension and show that behind advanced technologies stand values deeply meaningful to every Kazakh citizen - memory of the past, continuity between generations, and openness to the world.
Idea
Before developing the creative concept, we conducted extensive research into historical archives and materials. Our findings surprised even the client: the very first civil flight in Almaty took place exactly 100 years ago, in 1924. This symbolic centenary became the foundation of the narrative, bridging past and present. The power of this date gave the story both emotional depth and historical scale.
Solution
At the heart of the storytelling lay the theme of generational continuity, revealed through the personal story of a father and son. This intimate narrative served as the emotional thread through which the values of memory and respect for the past were expressed.
The paper airplane was chosen as the central symbol - a metaphor connecting generations and eras, tracing a path across time from 1924 to 2024.
Execution
Achieving authenticity required the utmost precision. With the support of historians and consultants, each era was recreated with meticulous attention to costumes, props, and set design.
Equally important was the cinematic language:
1. Anamorphic lenses gave the film depth and a truly cinematic look.80% handheld shooting immersed viewers directly into the story.
2. Different lenses were chosen to reflect different eras:
- Vintage anamorphic glass for the 1940s–60s, evoking a sense of time and memory.
- Warm, soft tones for exterior scenes, highlighting human presence in natural environments.
- Crystal-clear, graphic optics for the flight of the paper airplane — a metaphor for progress and the future.
3.The ARRI Alexa 35 camera, with its wide dynamic range, allowed us to capture natural light with authenticity, preserving nuance and atmosphere across decades.
This deliberate approach to cinematography ensured that the terminal was not just portrayed as an architectural achievement, but as a living cultural symbol, seen through the lens of history, memory, and human connection.
Result
The corporate film became the centerpiece of the terminal’s launch campaign and reinforced the perception of the brand as both modern and progressive, while firmly rooted in national culture and heritage.
The story evoked a strong emotional response from audiences - from Kazakhstan to the international stage -and demonstrated how an infrastructure project can acquire cultural significance and symbolic weight
Credits
CREATIVITY team:
Co-founder/ Executive Producer - Akzhan Oxykbayeva
Co-founder/ Executive Producer - Adil Kaliyev
Producer - Andrey Bits
Line Producer - Alimzhan Alimbayev
Project Manager - Aziz Akhtamov
Idea: Insight Agency x Creativity
Creative Director (Insight Agency) - Togzhan Arabova
Director - Aibat Rakhmanov
DOP - Dastan Aralbay
Music and Sound - Robert Ziganshin