The premiere of the play "Face to Face," based on Chingiz Aitmatov's novella, was a success at the Alp Arslan National Drama Theater, according to "Turkmenistan: Golden Age."

The play takes place in a small Kyrgyz village during the Second World War.

"We changed the ending of the story slightly," says the play's director, Honored Artist of Turkmenistan, Handurdy Berdyev. "Our main character blames the war for all the troubles. There's logic to her words. In a peaceful life, the handsome, hard-working Ismail would have been a respected man among his fellow villagers." The war turned his life upside down, and now he's a criminal despised by everyone. This drama's ending was inspired by this year's motto—the International Year of Peace and Trust. With the play "Face to Face," we once again remind audiences how precious peace is on Earth.

Set designer Mekan Annamuradov strived to make the production's set resemble the Kyrgyz countryside. A long wooden bridge spanning the entire stage, dimly lit by street lamps, marks the road to the cordon. Falling snow accompanied almost the entire performance. The gloomy, cold weather heightened the tension of the drama.

The role of the main character Seyde is played by Leyla Rustemova, Ismail is played by Sohbet Tachmammedov, Ismail's mother is played by Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Syulgun Tashlieva, the neighbor is played by Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Gerek Khodjamammedova, and Murzakul is played by Dovran Hojageldyev.

The audience was deeply moved by the tragic story that took place in a small village: not a single spectator left the theater indifferent, the source notes.