Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Wordiezett So much average

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Sinister Sinister The Story of the Weeping Camel was the work of film students, but I warn you not to expect the work of amateurs. Because they demonstrate the humbling power of a new wave of director/writers coupled with an exciting new genre.The staggering thematic elements that tour through this movie and the painful point they make, could ask for no better a medium than the Documentary/Drama hybrid used therein. Each scene in this movie displays a drama far more gripping than it's surface appearance and yet it always pulls back giving the viewer a sobering distance to consider.We're set at wondering whether the ills match the pros of Western Culture versus a simpler and more involved life with nature. Whether the desperate need to be connected with our fellow man is more important than being connected with nature. Whether we, as a society, even care about nature at all, at this stage. Whether we care what happens to our next generation and their grapple with the world we left them...

bebop63-1 The Weeping Camel may not have the special effects or the attention-getting action of some Hollywood films, but it is a beautiful and not-to-be missed movie in its own right. Apart from being a documentary, it is full of symbolism and meaning that can be seen in the everyday routines around which the family of Mongolian shepherds have built their existence: the shearing of the camels' hair to braid into halters to put on the camels,showing how nothing is wasted; the sprinkling of milk into the air or onto the baby camel to ensure luck and appeasement of the nature spirits that is part of the Mongolian religion ; the storytelling and singing sessions inside the homely yurt. And, most remarkable of all and the highlight of the movie, the musical ritual consisting of a violinist on the horse-head fiddle and the woman's chanting designed to make the mother camel accept and suckle her newborn calf.The four generations of the family in the film, both genders and regardless of age (except for the youngest child who is around 1-2 years of age) work together doing everyday chores with an ease that suggests a contented acceptance of their way of living and the responsibilities that come with it. This is a culture in touch with the flow of life and nature in general, and the film shows links between the way the shepherds tend to their children and animals. It subtly but distinctly notes the way a leash keeps the toddler and baby camel from wandering off, similarly creating a connection between the lullaby a mother sings to put her child to sleep and the way violin music and chanting soothes a mother camel and charms her into accepting her rejected offspring. At first, the creature's response seems to be of the "what the. . . ?" variety, but then a magical transformation takes place as the musician plays on and the woman continues to sing and the family of shepherds watch expectantly. The effect that the music has on the other camels grazing nearby - watch their expressions, as if entranced - and eventually on the mother camel - Imgen Tenee as she is named in the credits - as she eventually gives in to suckle her baby and sheds tears as if in repentance of her erring ways is - as the Mastercard commercial would say - "priceless" Both moving and memorable, this sequence lies at the heart of the film, albeit close to the end, a moment of restoration as uplifting as anything I've encountered in recent years. Wisely, the producers of the movie take pains to avoid any anthropomorphizing or patronizing attitude, insisting every aspect should be seen through the shepherds' eyes as if the viewers were there right with them, sharing their joys, frustrations, victories, etc. The approach serves as a potent reminder that the simplest things can also be the most powerful and compelling.Throughout The Weeping Camel, Davaa and Falorni maintain an unobtrusive distance, allowing insights to emerge rather than thrusting them upon us. Most effectively, it allows us to discover the sharp contrast between the simple uncomplicated nomadic pastoralist way of living in one of the remotest areas of the world (the Gobi Desert)and the so-called modern Western living. Sadly though, the former appears to be fast disappearing or encroached by the latter - as can be seen in the final scenes of the film when the shepherd family acquire a television and the eldest boy is working on the satellite dish to get proper reception.

thatheo This movie took 90 minutes. Those must have been the longest 90 minutes in all my life, because I thought this thing was 3 hours, or something like that. I half fell asleep, twice, and even though the beautiful landscape was pretty decent, the makers forgot one very important thing: pace.Because this could have been quite an interesting documentary, if it would last for 30 minutes.Further on, the characters. Who comes up with a name like dude in a 'cultural study', something about different civilizations for god sakes. Why don't they just name the movie 'dude, where's my camel?' and be done with it.Oscar nomination my ass. I fell asleep with this sleeper movie. So, damn.

petersj-2 Like many people I wondered why I should see a film about a Mongolian family and their camel but this is a film full of grace. Byambasuren Dava and Luigi Falorni directed and wrote this story about a Mongolian family and the birth of a camel. The birth scene is wonderful and its the real thing. It is film full of miracles and charm.The mother rejects her new born and despite much effort to coax the mother into accepting her baby everything fails. Your heart goes out to the beautiful little camel who will surely die if she does not drink milk. The baby rejects the milk given by the human family. A miracle is needed and the miracle is music. I wont spoil the surprise because it is riveting. The animals are beautiful as is the love the people have for their four legged family. These may be working creatures but the love and respect people have for their live stock puts our culture to shame. The scenes of the desert are glorious. The people are all non actors and they are beautiful. They live a stark existence but you cannot help but envy them. The curtain call at the end was beautiful, those graceful people are an enchantment. The miracle of music is matched with the beauty of the people. Those little camels are a joy! Those camels give the most moving emotional performances I have seen for years.