Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel (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:

Ein wahres Filmmärchen (A true fairy tale on film)

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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

Features Nu, pogodi! (1969)

User Reviews

the weeping camel

this documentary did portray a Mongolian family living their life and performing their everyday duties, however, the film seemed to have been "polished" to a degree where the viewers were presented not exactly with the 'real' thing, but a carefully staged and choreographed lifestyle. it was an interesting take on the nomadic culture, but a bit overly commercialised, for my taste. as i am a Mongolian, i could testify that the subtitles did not include big parts from what was actually being said. instead, it concentrated more on the lines that support the general 'plotline', which was a major let down, i would assume. and you can really see the agenda behind the film, which is to make Mongolia a very attractive destination for travel. it does portray a "cute" family living happily, so remote from civilization, thus very much 'attractive'. i guess it must seem to people like a relief in times of "farenheit 9/11" and "the corporation", but i'm upset with this representation for its fakeness and blunt 'cuteness'. the ritual performed is a very old one, and i'm sure it's very much related to the ancient shamanistic religion of the Mongols. in overall, was OK to watch once. (at least we're finally making films that get distributed worldwide)