Sayang Wayang: Mongol (2007) @ Монгол

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Mongol (2007) @ Монгол

At a glance:
I guess the two most famous Mongolians I could think of are Altantuya Shaariibuu and Genghis Khan, so I've come to unfairly associate them with murder and the macabre. Anyway, back to the movie. Ain't never watched me no Mongolian movie before, so this is definitely interestin, if only to listen to the language. The murderous Mongol (2007) Монгол is Kazakhstan's entry for Best Foreign Film at the 2008 Oscars and it definitely has strong production values, considerin it reportedly took some 25 weeks to shoot, even trainin non-pro horseriders along the way and buildin new roads to remote locations! Epic is no hyperbole here, respect is due.
Bad news on the doorstep:

Although the movie avoided lionisin Genghis Khan and makin him out to be an indestructible superhero/supervillain (would've been the easiest mistake to commit), it perhaps sunk too low in key and ended up murmurin on over two hours at the cinema. The decidedly amoral stand on the titular conqueror contributed to this and we grow detached from him as the movie gallops on. Hopefully the second part of this reported trilogy would improve on some of this. Also, it could've done without so many battles.
Reminds me of:
Big-faced HK icon Alex Man in a TVB series about Genghis Khan. Somethin I watched as a little kid with me mum.
Watch out for:
Sun Hong Lei, who took Best Actor at the 2008 Asian Film Awards for this smug performance as Gengis Khan's adopted brother, Jamukha. Made me wanna watch Blood Brothers again. This guy needs to play a villain in a big Hollywood movie.
Most memorable line:
The bit about goin for "strong legs that can make a man happy" when choosin a wife. Different folks, different strokes eh?
Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?
Three stars for the obviously painstakin effort.
Bonus material:
Well, I have about a hundred production stills for you. Enjoy.