Shiza

Shiza
Directed by	Gulshat Omarova
Produced by	Sergei Azimov, Sergei Bodrov, Sergei Selyanov
Written by	Sergei Bodrov, Gulshat Omarova
Starring	Oldzhas Nusupbayev, Olga Landina
Distributed by	Picture This! (USA)
Release date	May 21, 2004
Running time	86 minutes
Country	Kazakhstan
Language	Russian

Shiza a.k.a. Schizo (Kazakh: Шиzа; Russian: Шиза) is a 2004 Russian language film directed by Gulshat Omarova. The film was in the official selection from Kazakhstan for the 77th Academy Awards. It was also screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Fifteen-year-old Mustafa (Olzhas Nusupbayev) — nicknamed "Shiza" for his weird behaviour in school — has no money, power or a girlfriend in his young life. Working for his mother’s boyfriend, Shiza scouts for fighters for the illegal, underground circuit of bare-knuckle fist-fighting.

However, his life changes forever when a young fighter is accidentally and mortally wounded in the ring. Before dying, the fighter asks Shiza to deliver his prize money to his wife Zinka (Olga Landina). Shiza takes the money to the now-widowed woman as promised. Upon meeting, Shiza falls in love with her. Suddenly, he finds direction as he is compelled to support and protect his new love no matter what the cost.

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