Andrei Merzlikin, familiar to Russian audiences from Boomer, steps into a Kazakh crime drama directed by Akan Sataev. The project, currently titled New Times, brings together a cross-border cast and a story set amid the upheavals of a changing era. The filmmakers confirm its release in Russian cinemas on February 13, inviting viewers to a tense, character-driven journey that blends street realities with larger questions of power and loyalty.
The film stands as the third installment in the Racetir series in Kazakhstan. The first chapter, released in 2007, featured Vladimir Vdovichenkov and transported audiences to the early 1990s. The central figure is Sayan, played by Sayat Isembaev, a man from Alma-Ata whose path becomes entangled with crime and a rising boxing talent drawn into a dangerous underworld. The narrative establishes a gritty mood and a sense of consequence that spans generations, laying the groundwork for the current installment.
In the new movie, events unfold as Sayan completes a sentence for the murder of a sworn enemy and steps out into a world that promises new chances and old dangers. A will left by the murdered man and a looming threat against Sayan drive the plot forward, while a web of powerful but corrupt officials and relentless security guards shapes the atmosphere of a changing time. The story keeps faith with the harsh realities of the era, showing how people navigate shifting rules while trying to preserve a personal sense of honour.
Racetir is often compared to well-known Russian crime dramas such as Boomer and Brigade. Director Akan Sataev treats these comparisons with a calm confidence, acknowledging the cult status enjoyed by Boomer and Tugay while insisting that Racetir presents an original and independent voice. The aim is not to imitate but to contribute a distinct story that stands on its own within the genre, offering a fresh atmosphere, new dynamics, and a personal touch that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Andrei Merzlikin has said his decision to join the cast was a sign of respect for Akan Sataev, with whom he had previously collaborated on the project Lost. He recalls that the director saw a leading role that could fit his career, and their working relationship grew into a strong friendship. When Sataev invited him to star in Racetir New Times, along with a Moscow businessman traveling to Kazakhstan, Merzlikin accepted without hesitation, trusting the director’s vision and his own instincts for the part.
The cast also includes Denis Lebedev, a renowned Russian boxer who has held WBA and IBF championships. Lebedev’s move into cinema marks a second on-screen project, following his first appearance in Boomerang, the film directed by Peter Buslov. His presence adds a distinctive energy to the ensemble, bridging athletic discipline with onscreen intensity and lending a rare intensity to the action and interactions on screen.
The collaboration behind Racetir reflects a broader trend of cross-border storytelling between Russia and Kazakhstan. The film blends hard-edged realism with deep character work, aiming to capture a sense of a pivotal period in the region’s history. For viewers in Canada and the United States, the narrative offers a window into a crime universe that, while grounded in a different geography, speaks to themes of loyalty, power, and personal code under pressure. The result is a project that not only extends a regional saga but also invites international audiences to experience a modern, multi-faceted crime drama brought to life by a compelling cast and a director who seeks to push the genre forward.