MONGOL

Director: Sergei Bodrov
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Honglei Sun, Honglei Sun
Run Time: 120 minutes
Country: Germany/ Kazakhstan/Russia
Year: 2007
Language: Mongolian, Mandarin with English subtitles
Rating: 14A (Gory violence)

The tale of how a young boy ascended to become the greatest ruler of Mongolia centres this epic tale of love and betrayal from director Sergei Bodrov (Nomad). Mongol, a Special Presentation at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival®, reaches Shakespearean heights in its narrative account of a family that is torn apart, cast aside and eventually restored to power.

Nine-year-old Temudgin sets off with his father, a khan, to search for a bride. Travelling across the region’s stark and beautiful tundra, Temudgin sees a girl whom he proclaims to be his wife, though his choice runs counter to his father’s wishes. But Temudgin’s life instantly changes when a group of Tartars poison his father. Even though he is next in line to rule, the rest of the tribe refuses to accept leadership from a young boy. They cast out his entire family, forcing them to eke out a meagre existence. An epic about courage and resourcefulness follows, as the boy becomes a man (Tadanobu Asano), finds the girl whom he had chosen as his bride all those years ago, and gradually reasserts his claim to the leadership of his kingdom.

Temudgin’s picaresque journey sees him descend to the depths of slavery before exacting his revenge and reclaiming the heights of power he glimpsed as a young boy. His saga plays out against the stunning landscapes of Central Asia, where tribal loyalties rule and violent warfare trumps other means of resolving differences. The grand canvas of the storyline clearly stimulates Bodrov, and he relishes the visual opportunities afforded in the scenes of realistic warfare. But he also finds ample time for the quiet moments between Temudgin, his wife and his beloved mother. Family forms the bedrock of behaviour, and Bodrov constantly returns to this idea in re-imagining a vital period of Mongolian history. A cinematic feast for the eyes, Mongol is an awe-inspiring journey of the man who conquered half the world.

 “…this Central Asia-set historical epic from Russian helmer Sergei Bodrov boasts breathtaking landscapes, dazzling cinematography, bloody battles and unique traditions.” 
– Alissa Simon, Variety

Reviews: www.metacritic.com/film/titles/mongol

Website/Trailer: www.mongolmovie.com