Mari Cried

Mari Cried, released internationally under various titles including Mari Hreudhti and Mali Bakade (in Sunteria and the Ukilen Union respectively, Mari Cried), Tsulagan (Tzuai Enake Ga) (in Azkali, Untitled (This Is Us)), Mari Ecanst (in Loremesia, Mari Sung), and Mariu Lameliem (in the Athi States, Mari's Tears), is a 1997 Sunterian-Azkali epic psychological drama and horror film directed and written by Kae Tsai based off of a screenplay by Derme Grendren. It is a partial adaptation and self described "brother" of the unpublished 1983 play Adare Laisatinara Kauke (We Come Together) by Azkali playwright and novellist Pagi Notsekutzi. Often referred to as the greatest film of all time, Mari Cried is regarded as a landmark release in cinema and is cited as the first widescale piece of media to address and revolve around the Azkali Genocide and the Smoldering of Azkali. The film is often regarded as one of the most graphic and disturbing films released, and was initially controversial for several scenes depicting murder, bodily mutilation, and sexual assault.

Mari Cried chronicles the fracturing and dissolution of a family following the invasion of Azkali by Ukilen Union in 1979. The film primarily follows Tzali Eutasi and Iekago Naikañi, a teenage couple, and the rest of the Eutasi family, as they live in the town of Sutarai in Northern Azkali. As the 1st Bapho-Azkali War begins, Tzali, Iekago, and the Eutasi family flees Sutarai and arrives in Chekearoa and survives the Battle of Chekearoa. The family flees south towards Otzeipao and towards Moru to flee behind Baphian military lines on Athi refugee convoys to the Athi States, forming a party consisting of the family and others. The party is destroyed off one-by-one in encounters with Baphian infantry, eventually leaving Tzali, Iekago, and a young girl named Ausuko, as the only survivors. At the end of the film, Tzali, Iekago, and Ausuko are seperated in an ambush by Azkali partisans: Tzali is discovered by Baphian infantry and murdered in a mass shooting in the suburbs of Moru, being buried in a mass grave; Iekago is captured by Baphian slavers and taken to the Bartsinan Quarry, being executed in 1989; Ausuko is able to flee Moru on an Athi convoy ship, but dies of plague shortly thereafter in the ship.

Tsai began writing the script in 1991 and had secured the project with Angueiheiontes Pictures by 1992. Filiming was held in Kalilonde and the Southwestern Territory of Sunteria. The film at times utilized a small and tight-knit crew and cast, allowing for many takes to be taken, often to the point of exhaustion for many of the actors and crew. Filming began in 1993 and was concluded by 1995.

Mari Cried was released internationally by Angueiheiontes Pictures on May 5, 1997. Several variations for theatres across the world were created, with many shortening the film due to the original cut's runtime of 284 minutes. Initially, many theatres censored and refused to show the film due to the film's depiction of the Azkali genocide, including numeroous graphic scenes of mass murder and sexual violence. Angueiheiontes Pictures refused to release a censored or cut version in Sunteria and Loremesia, however a censored version was allowed to show in other countries worldwide.

Mari Cried received universal acclaim by critics. The graphic portrayal of the Azkali genocide, story, and soundtrack was lauded by critics. The film won a record 16 awards at the Sunterian Film Congress, and is the most recent film to win all of the "Big Seven" categories: Film of the Year, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Acting, Best Score, Best Actor, and Best Actress. It is the longest film to win an award from the Sunterian Film Congress and remains the only horror film to win the Film of the Year award. The film grossed 1.61 billion duidtios in Sunteria, 354.62 billion pitaca in Loremesia, and 52.65 billion iksisuthutse in Rathari, making it the highest-grossing film of all time, a record which the films still holds. The revenue from the film was donated in its entirety to the Azkali International Foundation to be used to contribute to the Reformation of Azkali along with Azkali refugee work. Mari Cried was Tsai's feature film directorial debut, and is regarded as the greatest debut feature film of all time.