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:

camel | shepherd | desert | musician | ritual | 

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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

Featured in The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005)

User Reviews

An Excellent Film of a Different Way of Life

In Mongolia in the Gobi desert a four-generation family of herders lives a tough, plain life. One of their camels gives birth but refuses to accept the calf. They care for the calf, try to hand-feed it, and decide to send for a player of music. The belief is that the music may make the camel accept the calf, and if it does the camel will weep.

The movie is classified as a documentary, but it is much more the story of the ways of this particular family, how they live, how they raise their small children, how the experience of the grandparents is used, how they care for their herds. Customs and rituals provide comfort. Electricity, television, ice cream provide temptations, but are more or less accepted as expensive facts of life which they aren't particularly tempted by. The actors all appear to be nonprofessionals.

This is the kind of movie you have to let yourself accept for what it is...a gentle, unobtrusive look at a way of life far different from ours. Well worth seeing.