Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel (2003)

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:

Amgaa: May your humps grow straight and your hooves grow strong.

Movie Connections:

Features "Nu, pogodi!" (1969)

A captivating chapter from another civilization

We heard that National Geographic was involved with this film, so expected some first-class photography. We were not disappointed.

The setting is amongst an extended family group, eking out a simple, rural existence on the high desert plains of Mongolia. It is the end of the calving season, and the last camel in the herd remains to give birth. We are privileged to witness the event in an non-intrusive way. It is the mother's first delivery and she encounters difficulties, probably through inexperience, and the human attendants feel compelled to assist. Not easy, with such a large animal, but eventually a healthy while colt is born before our very eyes. One suspect possibly because of the human intervention, the mother rejects the little one, and brushes away its repeated attempts to feed. Before long, the offspring is isolated from the mother and herd. Its mournful wailing sounds permeate the still Mongolian atmosphere with a haunting melancholy which cannot fail to turn the viewer's heart. Repeated attempts are made to reconcile the colt and its mother. As they all fail, the family decides to embark on a traditional ceremony as a last resort. This involves engaging a violinist to play music to the pair - a solution not as easy as it sounds, for the nearest skilled musician is in a remote provincial town which is at least a decent camel ride away. He eventually arrives and the ceremony commences. The outcome is best left for the viewer, suffice to say that here we have a touching film, with the splendor of the Mongolian landscape and the soft gentle colours of its sunsets as a backdrop. Worthy of a rating of 8 out of 10.