Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel (2003)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Directors:

Byambasuren Davaa
Luigi Falorni

Writers:

Byambasuren Davaa (writer)
Batbayar Davgadorj (writer)

Release Date:

8 January 2004 (Germany)

Genre:

Documentary | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Some fairy tales are true... some legends are real.

Plot:

When a Mongolian nomadic family's newest camel colt is rejected by its mother, a musician is needed for a ritual to change her mind.

Plot Keywords:

Camel | Desert | Musician | Mongolia | Nomad

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Janchiv Ayurzana	...	Janchiv
Chimed Ohin	...	Chimed
Amgaabazar Gonson	...	Amgaa
Zeveljamz Nyam	...	Zevel
Ikhbayar Amgaabazar	...	Ikchee
Odgerel Ayusch	...	Odgoo
Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar	...	Dude
Uuganbaatar Ikhbayar	...	Ugna
Guntbaatar Ikhbayar	...	Guntee
Munkhbayar Lhagvaa	...	Munkbayar, violin teacher
Ariunjargal Adiya	...	Teacher's Assistant
Dogo Roljav	...	Relative Aimak I
Chuluunzezeg Gur	...	Relative Aimak II
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Botok	...	Baby Camel
Ingen Tenne	...	Mother Camel

Also Known As:

The Story of the Weeping Camel (International: English title)
The Weeping Camel (Australia)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild thematic content.

Runtime:

87 min (25 fps) | 90 min (24 fps) | Hong Kong:93 min (Hong Kong International Film Festival)

Country:

Germany

Language:

Mongolian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-3 | West Germany:o.Al. | Switzerland:8 (canton of the Grisons) | USA:PG | Norway:A | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Singapore:PG | Finland:S | Australia:PG | UK:U | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Aimak, Inner Mongolia, China

Company:

Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München (HFF)

Trivia:

The program that Ugna enjoys on TV is the Soviet animation classic "Nu, pogodi!" (1969)

Quotes:

Dude: Are you hungry, Ugna?
Ugna: Yes I am. Give me a piece of boorzog.

Movie Connections:

Features "Nu, pogodi!" (1969)

An Excellent Film of a Different Way of Life

In Mongolia in the Gobi desert a four-generation family of herders lives a tough, plain life. One of their camels gives birth but refuses to accept the calf. They care for the calf, try to hand-feed it, and decide to send for a player of music. The belief is that the music may make the camel accept the calf, and if it does the camel will weep.

The movie is classified as a documentary, but it is much more the story of the ways of this particular family, how they live, how they raise their small children, how the experience of the grandparents is used, how they care for their herds. Customs and rituals provide comfort. Electricity, television, ice cream provide temptations, but are more or less accepted as expensive facts of life which they aren't particularly tempted by. The actors all appear to be nonprofessionals.

This is the kind of movie you have to let yourself accept for what it is...a gentle, unobtrusive look at a way of life far different from ours. Well worth seeing.