The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003)

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.

Directors:

Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni

Writers:

Byambasuren Davaa, Batbayar Davgadorj

Stars:

Janchiv Ayurzana, Chimed Ohin, Amgaabazar Gonson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited 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

Storyline

Springtime in the Gobi Desert, South Mongolia. A family of nomadic shepherds assists the births of their camel herd. One of the camels has an excruciatingly difficult delivery but, with help from the family, out comes a rare white colt. Despite the efforts of the shepherds, the mother rejects the newborn, refusing it her milk and her motherly love. When any hope for the little one seems to have vanished, the nomads send their two young boys on a journey through the desert, to a a backwater town in search of a musician who is their only hope for saving the colt's life.

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Plot Keywords:

windstorm | camel | shepherd | desert | musician | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild thematic content

Details

Official Sites:

National Geographic official Website

Country:

Germany Mongolia

Language:

Mongolian

Release Date:

16 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

A História do Camelo Que Chora

Filming Locations:

Aimak, Inner Mongolia, China

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,767, 6 June 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,742,832, 3 October 2004

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München (HFF), Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), FilmFernsehFonds Bayern

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 91 min 93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Mongolia for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 76th Academy Awards in 2004.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Janchiv: Now my children I'll tell you the story of the weeping camel. Many years ago, God gave antlers to the camel as a reward for the goodness of its heart. But one day a rogue deer came and asked the camel to lend him his antlers. He wanted to adorn himself with them for a celebration in the west. The camel trusted the deer and gave him his antlers, but the deer never brought them back. Since then the camels keep gazing at the horizon and still await the deer's return.

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Connections

Referenced in Pastewka: Die Strategie der Schnecke (2006)

User Reviews

A Cinematic Tour De Force

If you are fed up with Hollywood glitz and special effects. If you are tired of hearing overpaid actors whining about how hard life is when having to film away from home, then you would be a fool not to watch this splendid film.

It would be too easy to say it is a documentary or a drama documentary. It is neither. It is, in the old term, 'cinema verite' at its best with good editing. Or even 'fly on the wall'. It is a truly wonderful story that has what many films should have: a beginning, a middle and an end.

I see no point in over analysing components of the film. To do so would destroy the theme. It is a story told in in the style of Aesop but it is far from a fable. The camera work (from a novice!) is stunning. There are no wild hand-held camera angles, just luscious close ups and exquisite panoramic views. Thankfully there are no blurred short depth of field shots - as is common in too many modern films.

It will leave you with a warm glow and hopefully raise many questions about the values that we as a human race share and are losing. If you have seen the Korean "The Way Home" you will love this contribution to the world of film. It is a truly excellent and heart warming experience.