Saturday, May 8, 4:00 PM, Charles Theatre 5

Director: Luigi Falorni and Byambasuren Davaa

Cast: Ingen Temee, Botok, Uuganbaatar Ikhbayar, Odgerel Ayusch, Janchiv Aurzana, Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar, Guntbaatar Ikhbayar

Country: Germany and Mongolia
Year: 2003
Running Time: 90 minutes
Format: 35mm

In the Gobi Desert in Southern Mongolia, a family of nomadic shepherds makes their living raising sheep and camels. The last camel to give birth during the springtime birthing season has an extremely difficult delivery, but with help from the family, out comes a rare white calf. When the mother rejects the newborn, refusing it milk and love, the family turns to traditional ritual to try to convince the mother to accept her new calf.

This documentary relies on the expressiveness of the characters, both human and camel, and the vast landscape of the Gobi Desert to tell its story. Like Winged Migration, there is a minimal amount of dialogue and voiceover. Directors Falorni and Davaa let the action and beauty speak for itself. They are also clearly inspired by the films of Robert Flaherty, including Nanook of the North. They provide a look into a world that is completely foreign, and at the same time reveal universalities that are so familiar.

-- Dan Krovich