‘Only Heaven Knows’ Director Warns ICE Raids Would Make Her Film Impossible Today

Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva’s drama ‘Only Heaven Knows’ is more than a mystery about a missing husband. It is a raw, intimate portrayal of the Kyrgyz immigrant experience in Chicago, made possible by the tight-knit local diaspora and a cast drawn from real community members. But the director warns that the film’s production would be unthinkable today, as ICE raids intensify and immigrant communities live in fear.

Shot in May and June of 2024 with a mostly non-professional Kyrgyz cast, ‘Only Heaven Knows’ follows Mira, a nail salon worker searching for her missing husband Eric, a truck driver grappling with gambling debts. The story draws heavily on real-life experiences shared by the community, including the police incident depicted in the film. Karamoldoeva, who has a documentary background, collaborated closely with screenwriters and actors to ensure authenticity.

The film’s production was a grassroots effort, relying on local support for funding, locations, and logistics. “We raised funds on our own,” Karamoldoeva said, “and had great support from the local diaspora who showed up with lunches and helped in every way.” The director spent months searching for a real Kyrgyz truck driver to play Eric, ultimately casting Dauren Tashkenbaev just days into filming — a serendipitous parallel to the film’s narrative of searching and discovery.

However, Karamoldoeva emphasizes that the film’s creation was only possible because it was shot before the recent surge of ICE raids in Chicago. “A few months after we shot, things really intensified,” she explained. “During the premiere, people from the film team were afraid to attend because of the raids. Many in our community have uncertain residency statuses and came to the U.S. through various means. The environment changed so drastically that it wouldn’t be feasible to make this film now.”

This chilling reality underscores the broader impact of aggressive immigration enforcement: silencing immigrant voices and erasing entire communities from public visibility. Despite Chicago’s sizable Kyrgyz population — so large it’s nicknamed ‘Chicagostan’ — the community remains largely invisible in mainstream discourse. Karamoldoeva hopes her film acts as a cultural bridge, raising awareness and fostering understanding.

Beyond the U.S., the director celebrates a vibrant wave of Kyrgyz cinema gaining momentum at home, with growing local audiences and international festival recognition. She is currently developing a new project, ‘Taken,’ set in 1960s Kyrgyzstan, which will explore themes of freedom and resilience in the face of oppressive traditions.

‘Only Heaven Knows’ stands as a testament to the power of storytelling from within marginalized communities — stories that are increasingly under threat in today’s climate of fear and enforcement. As ICE raids escalate, the film’s message is urgent: if immigrant voices are silenced, entire lives and histories risk disappearing from view.