2006

A simple beautiful film set in Mongolia, the rewarding follow-up to director Byambasuren Davaa’s Oscar-nominated Story of the Weeping Camel.

The story revolves around a little girl (six year old Nansal Batchuluun) who, while out on an errand for her mother, finds a young stray dog in a cave. She decides to keep the dog against the express wishes of her father.

This low-budget movie is notable for its uncomplicated photography and improvised drama. The nomadic Batchuluun family are utterly indifferent to the camera lens and radiate a natural chemistry.

The movie is finely balanced and non-intrusive, and shows what can be done without big budgets and starring actors. A little gem.

(Available on DVD)