LinhMongol; semi-biographical drama film review
July 5th 2008 11:08
LOVING COUPLE: Borte (Khulan Chuluun) and Temudjin (Tadanobu Asano) are reunited in Mongol. Image: Andreevsky Flag Film Company
A Kinder Khan by Linh
Russian director Sergei Bodrov's Oscar nominated Best Foreign Film for 2008, Mongol follows the early years of Mongolia's feared and revered conqueror Genghis Khan.
Filmed in China, Kazakhstan and parts of Mongolia, Bodrov envisioned Mongol to be the first of a trilogy and concentrated on the lesser known and much debated mysterious early years of Genghis Khan's life.
The film spans thirty years and is an epic tale of love, family honour, and loyalty set against a backdrop of panoramic beauty. It begins with Genghis Khan as a nine year old, originally named Temudjin, who sets upon a journey with his father to find a future wife. While Temudjin and his father head home, his father is poisoned after accepting a drink from a rival clan member. When Temudjin arrives home to his clan to be their Khan (ruler), they refuse to be ruled by a young boy and reject him. After experiencing poverty, rejection and humiliation, Temudjin uses his skills and cunning to unite feuding clans and become the ruler of the Mongol Empire.
If audiences are after a film featuring an animalistic Genghis Khan as the fabled megalomanical blood-thirsty cannibal, then they would be disappointed. Mongol depicts Genghis Khan as a humane and forgiving man who was willing to start a war among clans over the woman he loves and set his blood brother free after being betrayed.
CONQUEROR: Temudjin (Tadanobu Asano) becomes Khan of his tribe and leads his men into battle in Mongol. Image: Andreevsky Flag Film Company
The casting is excellent, comprising of actors from China, Japan and various other nationalities which adds to the authentic feel and look of the film.
Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano plays Temudjin, giving a soulful and brooding performance as the Mongol leader.
Khulan Chuluun is wonderfully sincere and emotionally strong as Temudjin's wife, Borte, whom he lost after she was kidnapped and sired the children of her captors.
Chinese actor Honglei Sun brilliantly portrays Temudjin's blood brother and future rival Jamukha with a slight cockiness and assurance.
The supporting cast, including the extras on horseback during the battle scenes, were tremendously captivating despite minor roles with minimal onscreen time.
Mongol's depiction of one of history's most controversial leaders, is endearing and shows Genghis Khan as a family man, a fair and just ruler and a warrior attempting to build one of the world's greatest empires through uniting rivals and befriending enemies.
Mongol is majestically and stunningly filmed and hopefully Bodrov will see his projected trilogy of Genghis Khan come to fruition.
Director: Sergei Bodrov
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Honglei Sun, Khulan Chuluun, Aliya, Tegen Ao, Sun Ben Hon, Amadu Mamadakov, Zhang Jiong, You Er, Bao Di
Producers: Stefan Arndt, Bob Berney, Sergei Bodrov, Bulat, Galimgereyev, Marcos Kantis, Anton Melnik, Ulli Neumann, Alec Schulmann, Sergei Selyanov, Manuela Stehr, Max Wang
Original Music Composition: Tuomas Kantelinen
Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers, Sergei Trofimov
Film Editors: Valdís Óskarsdóttir, Zach Staenberg
Casting: Han Wei Biao, Gulshat Omarova, Ui Ri Ji Tu
Costumes: Karin Lohr
Running Time: 126 minutes
Production: Andreevsky Flag Film Company, Kinofabrika, Kinokompaniya CTB, X-Filme Creative Pool
Language: Mongolian, Mandarin (Chinese) with English subtitles
BRUTAL BETRAYAL: Jamukha (Honglei Sun) seeks revenge against Temudjin in Mongol. Image: Andreevsky Flag Film Company
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