Mongol (2007); semi-biographical drama Mongolian film review

 

Poster artwork for the semi-biographical drama film Mongol.

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.

LOVING COUPLE: Borte (Khulan Chuluun) and Temudjin (Tadanobu Asano) are reunited in the film Mongol. Image: Hopscotch Productions, Andreevsky Flag Film Company.

 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 the film Mongol. Image: Hopscotch Productions, 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.

BRUTAL BETRAYAL: Jamukha (Honglei Sun) seeks revenge against Temudjin in the film Mongol. Image: Hopscotch Productions, Andreevsky Flag Film Company.

Director: Sergei Bodrov

Writers: Sergei Bodrov (screenplay), Ariv Aliyev (screenplay)

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 Composer: Tuomas Kantelinen

Cinematographers: Rogier Stoffers, Sergei Trofimov

Film Editors: Valdís Óskarsdóttir, Zach Staenberg

Production: Dashi Namdakov (Production Designer), Wang Min Kwa, Hai Ming Xiang, Elena Zhukova (Art Directors), Xin Wei An (Set Decorator) 

Costumes: Karin Lohr

Language: Mongolian, Mandarin (Chinese) with English subtitles 

Running Time: 2 hours and 5 minutes