Mongolian Ping Pong (2005)
"Lü cao di" (original title)

Bilike has never seen a ping-pong ball before. He and his family live without electricity and running water in a solitary tent home among the vast steppe grasslands. The magnificent ... See full summary »

Director:

Hao Ning

Writer:

Hao Ning

Stars:

Hurichabilike, Geliban, Badema

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Hurichabilike	...	Bilike
Geliban	...	Ergoutan
Badema	...	Bilike's Mother
Yidexinnaribu	...	Bilike's Father
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dawa	...	Dawa

Storyline

Bilike has never seen a ping-pong ball before. He and his family live without electricity and running water in a solitary tent home among the vast steppe grasslands. The magnificent landscape here has changed little since the days of Genghis Kahn. But life in the middle of nowhere can be exciting for a young boy. The smallest of details become big events for curious Bilike and his best friends Erguotou and Dawa. The mystery of the small white ball floating in the creek leads to questions about the world around them, as well as innocent mischief. Bilike's grandmother says the ball is a glowing pearl from heaven. But the boys are sceptical after waiting all night outdoors for the ball to light up. Since nobody has an idea about the odd white object, they trek to the faraway monastery to consult the wise lamas. But even the grasslands' most knowledgeable inhabitants are stumped. While watching the new TV-set Dawa's father has won, the boys learn about pingpong. They are excited to hear ...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

China

Language:

Mongolian

Release Date:

3 August 2006 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Mongolian Ping Pong

Filming Locations:

Inner Mongolia, China

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$3,252 (USA) (21 April 2006)

Gross:

$71,223 (USA) (2 February 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing HOP Culture, Kunlun Brother Film & TV Productions Lts.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A Disappearing Culture Caught in Color; Kids Take Center Stage

I can't be objective about this one, simply because I'm a sucker for movies that immerse the viewer into another cultural world, stories rich with color and atmosphere and local customs, stories sometimes told without a good deal of central plot, but with a view towards capturing the inherit beauty of a region--films such as Behind The Sun, Moolaade and Respiro.

Mongolian Ping Pong is an elementary story that will drive action fans out of the room, as nothing much seems to happen very quickly--but the patient viewer is immersed in a colorful and distinctive Mongolian culture fast disappearing as Television and Motorbikes invade the vast grassy plains; a child finds a ping-pong ball floating down the local stream and thereby hangs the tale, a simple story somewhat like a BBC Nature Video with kids involved; often very funny, sometimes puzzling, but a loving, slightly anthropological take on the way humans act when driven by an ingrained culture.