Set in the frozen steppes of Mongolia, a young nomad is confronted with his destiny after animals fall victim to a plague which threatens to eradicate nomadism.
Cinematography
Frozen steppes shot like alien planets—devastating beauty.
Direction
Belgian-Mongolian duo crafts something utterly un-Western.
Score
Throat singing and silence hit harder than any orchestra.
Director
Peter Brosens
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Co-director Brosens spent years in Mongolia; the film's resettlement camps mirror real 1990s-2000s government policies displacing nomads.
Lead actor Batzul was a non-professional herder discovered on location; his confusion in the 'hospital' scenes is genuine—he'd never seen such buildings.
MN
