Ub Lama (2011)

A twelve year old boy, living in a yurt but in love with hip hop and computer games is caught between modernity and tradition, aspirations and poverty and decides to become a Buddhist monk.

Director:

Egle Vertelyte

1 win & 1 nomination.

Storyline

Panting through the cold, folded hills of Mongolia, is the lone figure of young Galaa. His father dead in a tragic accident, a mother who looks twice her age, he yearns for a better life. Like any youngster Galaa is drawn to wrestling, rap, junk food and online dating. Yet he does exude an urge to help others, to "protect them from pain" and the quiet ways of Buddhism may save him. The tension between old and new, godly and worldy, are embodied in this child. In the marketplace Galaa is an adept wheeler dealer. He shrugs off the indifference of other traders to turn a quick buck. Yet he wants to honour his father's memory and be the best he can be for his mother. At a special remembrance service for his father an ugly fight breaks out as Galaa tries to siphon off some rice to save for others. Galaa's anguish rises painfully to the surface. "Just join the monastery" beseeches his mother quietly. Galaa visits Pethub, one of the most disciplined Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia, to try ...

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Lithuania UK Mongolia

Language:

Mongolian Tibetan

Also Known As:

Лама из Улан-Батора

Filming Locations:

Mongolia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Studio Nominum, Wostok

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A beautiful film

This is a moving and sensitive film about a boy at a crossroads of his life. This world at times is so alien and at times so familiar, this is the film's great strength and it does not surprising that it has done so well at festivals. With great sensitivity and little judgement, the director manages to portray this boy's life, his desire to become a monk and his relationship with his mother and brother.

I was genuinely moved by the end, and desperate to know what had happened and what course this boy's life had taken. In fact I was left wanting more. But all the time we are steeped in this far off culture, unfamiliar and fascinating to us, but we end up seeing it through his eyes. Simply beautiful.