Reviews

This is an odd movie/documentary. The first time I watched it, I didn't get through more than 30 minutes. Borrring. A seemingly pointless story about a Mongolian family of camel raisers. Then a year later, I put the DVD in the player again. I got past the first thirty minutes and THEN, it got interesting. Of the many camels who birth calfs normally, this one is a difficult birth, comes out sideways and backwards. But the family assists and finally a runt is born. But the mom wants nothing to do with this thing. Kicks it when it approaches to nurse. The family tries everything to get the mom to accept her calf- failure. Then the two young boys, 3 years and eight years old are sent off on two giant camel (trucks really big camels) to find a 'music teacher. What is this documentary about? It is odd in that you think it is not connected. The boys finally arrive at a hoedunk outpost town with one jeep and two TV sets. It is the elementary and secondary school for the region- reading writing, local dance and cultural stuff. They find the 'music teacher' and apparently agree to something. Next is the arrivial of the boys to their home. Then the music teacher in the jeep. Then it gets really odd and interesting. I thought I knew it all but this is beyond that. They catch the escaped camel who wants nothing more to do with these humans who are trying to make her into a better mom. The music teacher then stings a two stringed square instrument around one of her humps and then the family sits around smoking and talking as the wind begins to blow. The wind begins to vibrates the strings and the sound is perfectly tuned to the wailling of the camel - the camel and the musical instrument go back and forth. Very odd. Then the musician takes the violin and start to play a melody to which the camel responds and the woman - a pretty Mongolian girl - sings an enchanting song. Finally, the family sees it has works and the calf is brought to the mom and - holy cow! mom accepts her calf. Trippy film.

What's with all the negative comments? It's not suppose to be 'Gone with the Wind'. It is an actually funny movie takeoff on the zombi genre. I predict it will be a cult film of late teen- early twentys low-wage workers on a Friday or Saturday night movie. I really liked it. The combination of John O'Reily and Aubrey Plaza is perfect (as well as all the cast.) Well, as I have to add more lines to fill the required 10 lines, a couple of my favourite films are 'Criminal' staring John O'Reily and 'Safety Not Guaranteed' staring Aubrey Plaza. OK . . . . 'getting high with Doug'? starring Aubrey Plaza and Doug. Oh, Paul Riser, now I remember where I've seen his acting before! Aliens.' How about other film recommendation? The Hedgehog- A french film. Well, thats ten lines! Life after Beth is an enjoyable flick

Just wanted to weigh in on this film as it is worth viewing.

Very well cast and acted. Not an easy film to fit into a description or type. A personal deeply psychological and moody film. One of the strong point of the film is the cinematography and sound. The film goes back and forth between the mind and dreams of the main character who has written a play and is taking a group of actors through rehearsals. As she psychologically goes downhill, her play is changed and begins to reflect

what she images is happening around her -or is she imaging it? - To the credit of the main actor, Wyonna Rider, as I was watching the film, I began to think that the film has been written by her. She was very well cast for this role. Also brings some depth to an ancient practice in some cultures of writing letters to deceased relatives. Again worth seeing.