The Hungry and the Full

Aidar and Eldar are classmates whose lives have taken very different paths. Aidar has a wife and three children, but no stable job or income. He is a character who has lost his parents. Eldar works as the director of a large company. He has a wife, but no children. During a chance meeting, they argue about whose life is more difficult, each complaining about their own struggles. In the end, they end up wishing for each other’s lives. The next morning, they wake up to find that their souls have swapped bodies. As they search for a way to return to their own lives, they face the challenges of each other’s circumstances and begin to appreciate their own lives.

Directed by Rauan Makhatov, The Hungry and the Full leans on a strong ensemble — Abilmansur Serikov, Merey Adzhibekov, Gulia Uzakbaeva — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2025.