Ji feng zhon de ma (2005)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Cai Ning

Writer:

Cai Ning (writer)

Release Date:

6 October 2007 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Under the encouragement of the Chinese government, the traditional way of life of the nomads of the Mongolian plains change...

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Renhua Na
Cai Ning

Also Known As:

Season of the Horse (International: English title)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin | Mongolian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)

Company:

Genghis Khan Films

Can do nothing but a shepherd

Nomads in Nei Mongol, who have lived as nomads for many centuries, are being overwhelmed in two big waves: the commercialism led by Han people who dominate capitalized China, and the disappearance of the grassland. Many families abandon their long lasted nomad life and move to town for new, unknown life, where money and Han language count. However, this father of the family of three stubbornly sticks to the nomad life, saying "I am a born shepherd. I can do nothing but shepherd".

From this line, I recall a station master of "Poppoya" acted by Takakura Ken. When the rail road line he had kept long years was going to be abolished, his former coworker visited him to persuade to work in a new ski site. But the station master refuses it, saying "I can do nothing but rail road job".

This station master's answer came from his pride as a railroad man, who had served for many people throughout his life. But the case of this nomad father is different. His refusal to move forward is nothing more than a useless resistance and a fear to go one step for change. Facing overwhelming change of environment, all of his resistances were of no avail. He hated his wife working, but the reality was that only wife could earn money to live.

The story is very well made. At the opening, while the father goes to his uncle to negotiate to rent his grass field, a big advertisement team of a new wine company marches into his territory to practice the performance, and its Han manager introduces himself to the wife in awkward Mongolian. In this short time all important elements of the story are introduced. Every episode in the movie has specific role, and the mood shifts in the characters, agitation, anger and grief, are portrayed convincingly.