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The Story Of The Weeping Camel
on DVD (2004)
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| Starring: |
Janchiv Ayurzana, Chimed Ohin, Amgaabazar Gonson |
| Director: |
Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni |
| Studio: |
UGC FILMS |
| Run time: |
87 mins |
| Certificate: |
 |
| User collections: |
Jan's Greats, Red Wine Collection, 20 Films to See before...You're too Old, An eclectic list of goodies in alphabetical order, The best 21st century foreign films nobody's seen because they're all too busy watching Amelie and City of God, sminkejink's shelf, A mixed bunch |
| Genres: |
Drama, World Cinema |
| Languages: |
Mongolian |
| Subtitles: |
English |
| Released: |
01/11/2004
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Brief synopsis of The Story Of The Weeping Camel
Effortlessly blending drama, nature documentary, and ethnographic film, THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL weaves a magical tale about a nomadic Mongolian family who reunite a rejected baby camel with its mother. When a mother camel refuses to sustain her child, the keepers of the camels often reunite them in a ritual with folk music and chanting, the results of which elicit deep emotion--even causing the mother camel to weep real tears. Exploring more than just traditional ritual, this film speaks to the very nature of love--the baby camel cannot survive without his mother, just as no animal or person can.
Directors Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni drew upon the documentary style of Robert Flaherty (NANOOK OF THE NORTH), who recreated events to comprehensively portray his subjects. The pair tirelessly filmed spontaneous events for much of the mother-baby story, but chose to recreate certain moments in the family's daily life. A particularly humorous and insightful example involves a young boy who clearly feels conflicted between his family life and his desire for a more Western life. The film creates a contrast between the two, showing the boy listening to traditional fables in his family's tent, but then dreaming about owning a television. This spare film provides a visually enchanting and unique learning experience.
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Related
Critics Reviews
Radio Times
When Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni arrived in the Gobi Desert intent on capturing a slice of Mongolian life, they had only ten hours of Super-16 film stock with which to do so. So the fact that this study of a family of camel herders is both compelling and charming owes as much to luck as judgement. When a mother camel begins to neglect her new-born white calf, the action becomes increasingly affecting, especially after a local musician is summoned to perform a mystical ritual to bond the intransigent mother and her adorable offspring. But the human side of the story is equally poignant, with the final arrival of satellite television symbolising a threat to this ancient and arduous way of life.
Time Out
Robert Flahertys widow once referred to his work as a cinema of non-preconception; this début feature...
Read more on www.timeout.com
Halliwell's Film Guide
Charming semi-documentary of nomadic life, though it doesn't explain enough to be entirely satisfying.
See all 3 Critics Reviews »
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