The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the film's director, Sean McDonnell, and actor Clarke Peters.
Led by acclaimed actor Dominic West, Beyond the Silk Road is a feature-length documentary exploring the heart of Kyrgyzstan – a hidden gem of Central Asia. Through encounters with traders, herders and highland farmers, the film reveals how the ancient Silk Road and the nomadic way of life continue to shape the country’s identity. West begins in the south at a high-altitude stone caravanserai in the Tian Shan mountains, once a vital Silk Road stop, before meeting a modern-day yak farmer whose animals, essential to trade for centuries, remain central to highland life today.
Traveling north to Bishkek, West joins adventurer Alexandra Tolstoy at Osh Bazaar, a vibrant market rich in colour, trade and tradition. He then reunites with old friend and The Wire co-star Clarke Peters for a breathtaking horseback expedition into the western mountains, living alongside nomadic farmers and witnessing a timeless way of life increasingly threatened by climate change.
As the trio experience the spectacle of Kok Boru – Kyrgyzstan’s national horseback sport – the journey becomes a profound reflection on resilience, hospitality and connection, leaving the explorers with a deep sense of gratitude for the people and landscapes they encounter.
Clarke Peters
Clarke Peters is an American actor, writer, and director best known for his memorable roles in groundbreaking television dramas and a wide-ranging film career. Born Peter Clarke on April 7, 1952, in New York City, he adopted the stage name Clarke Peters after discovering another performer had already registered his birth name. Peters began his career in theatre and music, working as a singer and writer in the UK after moving to London in the 1970s, where he became involved in the vibrant West End theatre scene.
Peters is perhaps most widely recognized for his portrayal of Detective Lester Freamon in HBO’s The Wire (2002– 2008), a role that cemented his status as a subtle but powerful screen presence. Freamon, known for his quiet intelligence and methodical approach to police work, became a fan-favorite character, and Peters’ performance is often singled out as one of the series' finest. He later reunited with The Wire creator David Simon in the acclaimed miniseries Treme (2010–2013), where he played Albert Lambreaux, a proud Mardi Gras Indian chief struggling to rebuild his life in post-Katrina New Orleans—a role that showcased his emotional depth and connection to cultural narratives.
Beyond HBO, Peters has appeared in numerous high-profile television series. He played the father of the lead character in His Dark Materials (BBC/HBO), had a recurring role in Jessica Jones (Netflix), and appeared in The Man Who Fell to Earth (2022). His commanding presence and rich voice have made him a reliable presence in both drama and genre roles.
In film, Peters has contributed to a wide array of projects. He had key roles in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods (2020), where he played Otis, one of a group of Vietnam War veterans returning to the jungle to recover the remains of their fallen leader and a buried treasure. He also appeared in John Wick (2014), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), Mona Lisa (1986), and Harriet (2019), among others. Peters' filmography reflects his ability to seamlessly move between independent cinema, major studio productions, and prestige television.
