In the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, Ulzii, an impoverished 15-year-old boy, finds himself torn between his loyalty to his family and dreams of a better future for himself. This assured feature debut and the first Mongolian film to make it to Cannes sees these personal experiences become a microcosm of the tensions felt throughout this developing country, where traditions are being abandoned in the march for progress. Ulzii shares the family’s small space with his mother and three younger siblings, his late father having moved the family from the countryside in search of work. For the teenager, that means balancing the pursuit of his dreams with caring for his brother and sister after his illiterate mother returns to agricultural work in the country. There’s a genuine tenderness between these siblings that brings moments of laughter and warmth; the only kind to be found in the freezing Mongolian winter, which soon infiltrates the yurt.
This film is programmed by Buxton Film and features no trailers.
Cast: Battsooj Uurtsaikh, Nominjiguur Tsend, Tuguldur Batsaikhan
Director: Zoljargal Purevdash