The Story of the Weeping Camel

source: The Story of the Weeping Camel

Trailer—Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel

Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel

I've been to Mongolia and this film shows the 'modern' nomadic life. Some reviews question the credibility of the film because of the modern touches like TV's and SUVs. Yes they wear the dels. Yes some of the young nomads are wearing western clothing. Yes there are satellite dishes and solar panels. Yes some of the more successful nomads have motorcycles and Russian SUV's. Be glad they do. Nomadic life is brutal. While we golf or fish on a Saturday, the nomads gather dried dung for their stoves. Imagine having to ride 50 KM at -30C on a camel to get to a doctor. Buy the DVD, then a ticket to Mongolia and see it for yourself.

There was a point in this film when I wished I was in a Yurt in the Gobi desert staring at the night sky. It made me think about the meaning of existence : birth life and death and how we in the West have been softened/weakened in a mire of plutocratic decadence. The kids in the film had a brilliant innocence, they loved their animals and realized their importance in their society/economy. The little camels struggle reflected their struggle in this harsh desert environment.The birth scene,and normally I'm quite squeamish, enthralled me. It would do a lot of spoilt western kids/adults a lot of good if they could experience a bowl of Yak butter tea in a Gobian Yurt instead of a big Mac and Fries!!!!!

''Die Geschichte vom weinenden Kamel'' is told to be a ''documentary'', but I don't get exactly what is the purpose of it. It shows the story of a nomadic family and the troubles they have with a camel and her offspring, since the mother refuses to give maternal love to her baby. And that's it. More then one hour only watching camels, the desert, and part of the nomadic family's life. Don't get me wrong, the cinematography is beautiful and I do enjoy watching different movies from the ones from Hollywood, specially when all the people in this movie were real and not actors, but where is the plot of watching this movie? That's what I don't really get. I found interesting, however,the ritual with music they did for the mother camel accept her baby back. I would love to see a research about that, because I've never heard about music healing an animal's trauma. The movie is not bad, only without purpose.

"The Weeping Camel" is a story of nomads living in Mongolia, who live a basic, simple existence, away from the "necessities" of modern life. No TV's (at least until the very end), or electricity, or running water. And the mode of transportation is by camel. The story centers on the relationship of two camels, mother and child. After a difficult birth, the mother rejects the baby, making it difficult for the colt to get nourishment. Many methods are used to draw them together. Many parts of the film are heartbreaking, as we see and hear the young, white colt be turned away by it's mother. At many points during the film I forgot that it took place in the present. Such is the way they live, that it is easy to imagine these people living and working in this manner for several hundred years. Only their clothes and a few meager possessions bring us into the present. Well worth seeing. 9 out of 10

A documentary that takes place in the Gobi Desert about a mother camel rejecting her newborn white calf may not sound like compelling drama--or dromedary--but the makers of The Story of the Weeping Camel are to be commended for a beautiful, haunting film that left a deeper impression with me than many of the Hollywood blockbusters. This works on so many levels--as a nature documentary worthy of National Geographic, which was involved in its making; as a look at a far-away culture and in particular the simple joys and difficulties of one Mongolian family; and as a study of Western influences in other continents as the two young boys journey and discover modern innovations such as TV and computer games. Most of all, it works as a tale of hope and faith as mother camel and calf try to bond. Anyone who isn't moved by the image of the violinist playing as the mother finally accepts her calf, should check out of the human race. A marvelous film!

The Story of the Weeping Camel is one of the best movies that I've ever seen and easily the best of 2004 (I know that it was released in 2003, but it is only just making the rounds). It is evocative, provocative, sweet and highly appealing without ANY sex or violence. Just a jewel, as was my last favorite Mongolian film, Close to Eden. The characters are all realistic. The storyline works even if a breach-birth camel is just dumb luck. Maybe a lot of camels are rejected after birth. Or maybe the producers sprayed something on the camel to ward off his mother. Whatever it was, it works. The camel's expressions, both mother and calf, are priceless! A very entertaining two hours without a lot of dialog so even if you're not a fan of sub-titled movies, it is still easy to enjoy.

If anyone had ever told me that a movie about nomadic shepherds in Mongolia and a couple of camels could hold my interest and feelings the way this movie did I would have suggested they see a shrink. It can only be described as a wonderful story that makes the most complex of Hollywood screen-plays look silly. Great for all generations.