Kekexili (2004)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Chuan Lu

Writer:

Chuan Lu (writer)

Release Date:

1 October 2004 (China)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

One man will risk everything to save innocence

Plot:

A moving true story about volunteers protecting antelope against poachers in the severe mountains of Tibet.

Plot Keywords:

Antelope | Poacher | Journalist | Volunteer | Tibet

Awards:

10 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Duobuji	...	Ri Tai
Zhang Lei	...	Ga Yu
Liang Qi	...	Liu Dong
Xueying Zhao	...	Leng Xue
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zhanlin Ma

Also Known As:

Kekexili: Mountain Patrol (International: English title)
Mountain Patrol (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images, brief sexuality and language.

Runtime:

China:85 min | USA:90 min | Argentina:98 min

Country:

China | Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin | Tibetan

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | France:U | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:Atp | Iceland:12 | USA:Not Rated | Australia:M | Taiwan:PG-12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Hong Kong:IIB

Filming Locations:

China

Company:

Columbia Pictures

The Magnificence of Man's Bond with Animals and the Perpetuation of Life

'Kekelixi' ('Mountain Patrol') is one of those quiet, quasi-documentary films that now and then rises out of nowhere and has such an impact on the viewer that it has the potential for creating some global change action. Written and directed by Chuan Lu from China and sponsored in part by National Geographic the film was distributed as 'travel/foreign places/environmental issues' product, and while it satisfies those designations, it resonates as a story that is not only based on fact, but one that opens our eyes to another way of life in a very remote area. The effect is stunning.

A journalist from Beijing - Ga Yu (Zhang Lei) - travels to Tibet to investigate the poaching of Tibetan antelope and the group of unpaid citizens committed to eradicating the poachers and saving their beloved antelope. The leader of the mountain patrol is Ri Tai (Duobuji) and he has gathered devoted men who spend their lives selflessly searching for the elusive poachers. Ga Yu goes along for the search, camera in hand, capturing the magnificence of the mountains of Tibet, the men's camaraderie and commitment to their mission, and the fields of antelope carcasses left behind by the poachers whose only concern is to skin the antelope for their pelts of luxurious wool for the world market. The patrol encounters endless problems with their equipment, food supplies, loss of men to the poachers' guns, and finally capture a group of men (a family) who serve as skinners for the pelts. Ri Tai attempts to remain fair and non-violent, but his attempts are constantly thwarted. Ga Yu changes from a journalist role to a committed hunter and his relationship with Ri Tai and the other patrolmen is exceedingly touching. The ending of the film is as quiet as the Tibetan landscape and equally as impactful.

The cast is not known to this viewer, but it is difficult to imagine that Duobuji and Zhang Lei are amateur actors, so profoundly moving are their performances. The haunting music by Lao Zai and the breathtaking cinematography by Yu Cao support Chuan Lu's film. This art piece is excellent on many levels and is one that deserves a large audience. Highly recommended.