The Story Of The Weeping Camel [2004] [DVD]

There are films written with such soul and poetry they stay with you forever.The Story of the Weeping Camel is one of them- for me.In this age of digital overload, buzzing with the incessant chattering of instant information...it is a privilege to spend a moment with these people and their animal companionswho have learnt the rhythms of hills, deserts, steppes and wildernesses;and who teach us presence, humility and down-to-earthness.I found this film incredibly poetic. Children and adult are both welcome in its folds.And in its silences, so much is said, so much wisdom imparted.A Big Thank You.

It is a documentary but narrated like a historical novel. The movie takes the viewer into the secret lives of Mongolian camel herders, where camels assume individual personalities and are almost part of the family. It is plain narration, not emotionally charged, but a good illustration of the life of this nation about which we do not know much.

This amazing film takes us to the edges of Mongolia's Gobi desert, where an extended family of four generations pasture sheep, goats, and camels. One female camel fails to bond with her new child, thus giving cause for a ritual to take place that results in the camel weeping and then suckling its calf.Drama or documentary? Well, a bit of both, but mostly the latter. Working with real herders in their real homes and with their real animals, the film does not hide its attempts to create a drama: it is clear that some of the stilted dialogue between family members has been rehearsed, and when the great-grandfather tells the children the story of how the camel was given one attribute each from all the twelve animals of the zodiac, one child complains that they already know that story and asks could great-grandfather not tell another instead.The film is also of interest for showing how the modern world is intruding into the traditional nomadic lifestyles of the herders: thus we see four-by-fours, electricity, TV, motorbikes, even western-style school uniforms appearing on the fringes of the Gobi desert. There's a clock on the wall of one of the yurts, and Aerial washing-powder available in the shop of the nearest town.But the greatest interest - and mystery - surrounds the Hoos ritual itself, powerfully making manifest the animalistic power of music. Assuming it to be genuine, how does the laying of the instrument over the camel's hump - resulting in a resonance caused by either the wind or the animal's own breathing - allied with the subsequent playing of the instrument accompanied by singing affect the camel-mother so deeply as to completely transform her attitude to her calf?Powerful stuff, but alas there are no extras on this DVD to provide any answers. All that we are given is a photo gallery and fifteen minutes of unnarrated and unstructured behind-the scenes footage.

Watch this if:If you like nature documentaries.If you like those interesting programmes about the life of children in other countries.If you want to be gently entertained by a film with no killing, war, fighting or any other kind of violence. No swearing, shouting, dramatic confrontations or seeing people in high octane emotive states. No sex scenes, or any love story whether unrequited or fulfilled. No action heroes, car or other chases.If you want to see if it is possible to make a modern film with absolutely no special effects or stunts.If you want to see a wonderfully enchanting and compelling film about a part of our lives we seem to have left behind long ago, much to our detriment.

Really enjoyed this story, and the insight it gave into life in Mongolia. I realise that it's a fictional narrative, not a documentary, but almost feels like the latter.

Beautiful film. It really gives you an insight into Mongolian life and you feel like you are living and breathing it with the families filmed in this documentary. You understand their hardship but laugh at their ability to be so content with the bare minimum. Their understanding of life goes beyond what any of us are capable of comprehending. The scene with the mother camel and her first born had me in tears. Nature is fragile and vulnerable and this documentary shows you every aspect of her. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a life changing experience.

Animal welfare issues in this film - however this is because of Mongolian Culture, which is different than European Cultures.A WONDERFUL FILM, for 12 years and over. Sad in parts, but it does have a lovely ending! Great scenery, and natural acting by all actors including the Mongolian children. DEF 5 GOLD STARS

I saw this film in the cinema because I'm interested in Siberian peoples' lives. You really see how people live for real. There is good humour too, despite little dialogue. I liked the scenes of playing the morin-huur (Mongolian horsehead fiddle) because I own one and it was great to see little children learning to play it much better than I can.