The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003) - full transcript
Springtime in the Gobi Desert, South Mongolia. A family of nomadic shepherds assists the births of their camel herd. One of the camels has an excruciatingly difficult delivery but, with help from the family, out comes a rare white colt. Despite the efforts of the shepherds, the mother rejects the newborn, refusing it her milk and her motherly love. When any hope for the little one seems to have vanished, the nomads send their two young boys on a journey through the desert, to a a backwater town in search of a musician who is their only hope for saving the colt's life.
So, my children, now I?ll tell you
about the legend of the camel.
Many years ago, God gave antlers
to the camel...
as a reward for the goodness of its heart.
But one day a rogue deer came
and asked the camel...
to lend him his antlers.
He wanted to adorn himself with them
for a celebration in the west.
The camel trusted the deer
and gave him his antlers.
But the deer never brought them back.
Since then, the camels
keep gazing at the horizon...
and still await the deer's return.
Ugna, come here.
Take this.
Chase away the ones
that have already eaten.
I?ll leave Guntee with you, Mother.
Be patient, Grandma is coming.
Look, Grandma will give you a sweet.
What do the others look like?
You take a look, Father.
Is she ready?
l think so.
But take a look, I?ll hold them.
Will the colt be born today?
It looks like it will.
The nostrils have already widened.
It's already coming out. Come quick!
Yes, I?m coming.
Finish drying yourself on your own.
Are they sharp enough?
Yes, they're all right.
Enough, I?ll start with these.
Father, hold him tight.
He's becoming impatient.
And now let's trim the beard.
There, we're done.
Give me the wool, Father.
Here, have some more wool.
That's enough.
Father, hold the colt tight.
Dude, come here to help us!
So, now we've dressed up
this year's first colt.
May your humps grow straight
and your hoofs grow strong.
In order for these wishes to come true,
l sacrifice this milk.
The last pregnant camel
has gone far away from the herd.
Try to bring it back.
The last colt won't be born today anymore.
Then maybe tomorrow.
The feet are already out.
But where is the head?
Grandpa, what do you think of this?
It?s a white colt, isn't it?
Watch out!
She can't stand up on her own.
Hold her tight.
No, it's better to let her be.
Let's see if she can make it alone.
Come here!
You have to pay attention to the labor pains.
Yes, we'll be careful.
Watch out!
Now it's coming.
Let her have a short rest.
Is it breathing yet?
Weakly.
It?s her first delivery. It?s hard for her.
Is it breathing now?
It doesn't want to yet.
Poor thing.
Let's undo the rope.
But keep her still,
so that she doesn't run away.
Come, pull with me at the legs.
What a big colt!
The mother must see her little one.
Turn her towards the colt.
The last camel baby was born.
It?s a white colt.
But the mother is moaning.
She may refuse her little one.
That could happen.
She had a very hard delivery.
It took almost two days, didn't it?
Yes, two days.
It doesn't look good.
Give the black-eyed sheep her lamb.
Ugna, look, fetch that one back there.
l often mix them up.
The mother is here.
Where?
Here she is, look, here!
This one?
Yes, you're right.
Ugna, come here. Hold this one steady.
When God created the horoscope...
the camel wanted to be one of the signs.
Unfortunately, God couldn't grant his wish.
Instead, He gave him some of the traits
of the 1 2 animals of the horoscope:
the tail of the snake, the ears of the pig,
the eyes of the ox--
Grandpa, we already know this one.
Tell us something new!
Let's leave them alone.
Put this on, quick. Let's go!
Do you have everything for the ritual?
Hurry up, the others are waiting for you.
Please come back soon.
There are only two of us left.
Come here, you have to offer the food.
The wind is strong.
It?s almost blowing the food away.
The lamas are asking
if everyone has already given their offering.
We, the Mongolian people,
honor nature and its spirits.
Nowadays, mankind
plunders the earth more and more...
in search of her treasures.
This drives the spirits away...
that should protect us
from bad weather and from diseases.
We have to remember...
that we are not the last generation on earth.
Now we'll pray for forgiveness,
so that the spirits may come back.
Mom, if the colt doesn't get milk
from his mother, will he die?
No. Don't say such things, my son.
Was Odgoo able to bring the young colt
to peace with his mother?
She's still trying, but it isn't working.
Then we'll have to do a Hoos ritual.
For that we need a good violinist.
As far as l know, there are none in this area.
No, there aren't any.
We should get someone
from the Aimak Center.
Ugna, call Dude.
Dude, you'll have to go to the Aimak Center.
Grandpa, l want to go as well.
-No, you can't.
-Yes, l can!
-Are you able to ride?
-Yes, l am.
Are you sure?
Yes, l want to go with Dude.
Bring me batteries like these for the radio.
Have a good journey and come back soon!
Be careful!
Are you tired, Ugna?
Yes, l am. Give me a piece of boorzog.
We have to hurry, before the storm comes.
How is your family?
Well, thank you.
Where are you heading to?
To the Aimak Center.
Is there a shortcut?
Yes, you have to ride southwards
along the power line.
Why don't you like your little one?
Such a beautiful colt.
When l get back home,
I?ll ask our parents if they'll buy us a TV.
That will cost at least 20 or 30 sheep.
But we have so many sheep.
You also need electricity to run it,
which will probably cost a whole flock.
How was your journey?
Good.
How was the snow this winter?
Not too bad.
How is your family?
They are all well. Thanks.
And the animals?
They're also well.
I?ll fetch my glasses.
How is the storm outside?
It?s bearable.
''How are you?
''We send you best regards. We are all fine.
''The time of the camel births is over,
but we need your help.''
Well, l understand.
Ugna, sit properly at the table
and don't stare at the TV!
Let's walk. It?s not far.
Where is the music teacher?
On the second floor.
What a rare visit. How are you?
I?m fine, thank you.
People who need you called around.
Do you have any batteries like this?
No, l haven't got any.
l need six batteries, please.
Which ones?
The large ones.
Grandpa said four of these.
Four, Grandpa said.
No, six.
lf you say so.
Thanks.
Ugna, come on.
Does it work?
Yes, if you plug it in.
How much does it cost?
Look at the price tag.
Does this one also work?
Odgoo, l can see two camels on the horizon.
Take a look and see if it's our boys.
Yes, it's them. But they are coming alone.
I?ll make them some tea.
What else did you see?
We went to the marketplace.
l had an ice cream.
l saw TVs and computer games.
They do it like this.
Dude, what about the musician?
He's got lots to do, but he said he'll come.
Here are your batteries, Grandpa.
Is there a TV that runs on batteries?
What do you want now?
Dad, don't we want to buy a TV?
Would you like one?
Yes, Dad, please.
What do you want to do with this devil?
It?s wonderful.
You don't need that.
You'd spend the whole day
watching the glass images.
That's no good.
Is the shop open yet?
Yes.
I?d like to buy something.
What would you like?
l would like to buy a car.
Which one?
Both of them.
Both? That makes 5,000.
What's that?
Lemonade.
And the alarm clock?
That costs 400.
How are you and your family?
Fine, thank you. And how are you?
Fine, thank you.
How has this spring been for you?
Up to now, everything has gone well.
And how has your spring been?
Fine as well.
Make yourselves at home.
This is the colt.
The sweet colt.
My son is bringing the mother.
You have many newborns.
This is the youngest.
The mother is coming.
Now she's finally letting him suckle.
The mother sounds okay now.
Now the colt will be full.
It?s a beautiful colt, isn't it?
Now it's time for a cigarette.
You would be a good singer,
with your voice.
Mother, now it's your turn.
Nonsense! l can't sing.
about the legend of the camel.
Many years ago, God gave antlers
to the camel...
as a reward for the goodness of its heart.
But one day a rogue deer came
and asked the camel...
to lend him his antlers.
He wanted to adorn himself with them
for a celebration in the west.
The camel trusted the deer
and gave him his antlers.
But the deer never brought them back.
Since then, the camels
keep gazing at the horizon...
and still await the deer's return.
Ugna, come here.
Take this.
Chase away the ones
that have already eaten.
I?ll leave Guntee with you, Mother.
Be patient, Grandma is coming.
Look, Grandma will give you a sweet.
What do the others look like?
You take a look, Father.
Is she ready?
l think so.
But take a look, I?ll hold them.
Will the colt be born today?
It looks like it will.
The nostrils have already widened.
It's already coming out. Come quick!
Yes, I?m coming.
Finish drying yourself on your own.
Are they sharp enough?
Yes, they're all right.
Enough, I?ll start with these.
Father, hold him tight.
He's becoming impatient.
And now let's trim the beard.
There, we're done.
Give me the wool, Father.
Here, have some more wool.
That's enough.
Father, hold the colt tight.
Dude, come here to help us!
So, now we've dressed up
this year's first colt.
May your humps grow straight
and your hoofs grow strong.
In order for these wishes to come true,
l sacrifice this milk.
The last pregnant camel
has gone far away from the herd.
Try to bring it back.
The last colt won't be born today anymore.
Then maybe tomorrow.
The feet are already out.
But where is the head?
Grandpa, what do you think of this?
It?s a white colt, isn't it?
Watch out!
She can't stand up on her own.
Hold her tight.
No, it's better to let her be.
Let's see if she can make it alone.
Come here!
You have to pay attention to the labor pains.
Yes, we'll be careful.
Watch out!
Now it's coming.
Let her have a short rest.
Is it breathing yet?
Weakly.
It?s her first delivery. It?s hard for her.
Is it breathing now?
It doesn't want to yet.
Poor thing.
Let's undo the rope.
But keep her still,
so that she doesn't run away.
Come, pull with me at the legs.
What a big colt!
The mother must see her little one.
Turn her towards the colt.
The last camel baby was born.
It?s a white colt.
But the mother is moaning.
She may refuse her little one.
That could happen.
She had a very hard delivery.
It took almost two days, didn't it?
Yes, two days.
It doesn't look good.
Give the black-eyed sheep her lamb.
Ugna, look, fetch that one back there.
l often mix them up.
The mother is here.
Where?
Here she is, look, here!
This one?
Yes, you're right.
Ugna, come here. Hold this one steady.
When God created the horoscope...
the camel wanted to be one of the signs.
Unfortunately, God couldn't grant his wish.
Instead, He gave him some of the traits
of the 1 2 animals of the horoscope:
the tail of the snake, the ears of the pig,
the eyes of the ox--
Grandpa, we already know this one.
Tell us something new!
Let's leave them alone.
Put this on, quick. Let's go!
Do you have everything for the ritual?
Hurry up, the others are waiting for you.
Please come back soon.
There are only two of us left.
Come here, you have to offer the food.
The wind is strong.
It?s almost blowing the food away.
The lamas are asking
if everyone has already given their offering.
We, the Mongolian people,
honor nature and its spirits.
Nowadays, mankind
plunders the earth more and more...
in search of her treasures.
This drives the spirits away...
that should protect us
from bad weather and from diseases.
We have to remember...
that we are not the last generation on earth.
Now we'll pray for forgiveness,
so that the spirits may come back.
Mom, if the colt doesn't get milk
from his mother, will he die?
No. Don't say such things, my son.
Was Odgoo able to bring the young colt
to peace with his mother?
She's still trying, but it isn't working.
Then we'll have to do a Hoos ritual.
For that we need a good violinist.
As far as l know, there are none in this area.
No, there aren't any.
We should get someone
from the Aimak Center.
Ugna, call Dude.
Dude, you'll have to go to the Aimak Center.
Grandpa, l want to go as well.
-No, you can't.
-Yes, l can!
-Are you able to ride?
-Yes, l am.
Are you sure?
Yes, l want to go with Dude.
Bring me batteries like these for the radio.
Have a good journey and come back soon!
Be careful!
Are you tired, Ugna?
Yes, l am. Give me a piece of boorzog.
We have to hurry, before the storm comes.
How is your family?
Well, thank you.
Where are you heading to?
To the Aimak Center.
Is there a shortcut?
Yes, you have to ride southwards
along the power line.
Why don't you like your little one?
Such a beautiful colt.
When l get back home,
I?ll ask our parents if they'll buy us a TV.
That will cost at least 20 or 30 sheep.
But we have so many sheep.
You also need electricity to run it,
which will probably cost a whole flock.
How was your journey?
Good.
How was the snow this winter?
Not too bad.
How is your family?
They are all well. Thanks.
And the animals?
They're also well.
I?ll fetch my glasses.
How is the storm outside?
It?s bearable.
''How are you?
''We send you best regards. We are all fine.
''The time of the camel births is over,
but we need your help.''
Well, l understand.
Ugna, sit properly at the table
and don't stare at the TV!
Let's walk. It?s not far.
Where is the music teacher?
On the second floor.
What a rare visit. How are you?
I?m fine, thank you.
People who need you called around.
Do you have any batteries like this?
No, l haven't got any.
l need six batteries, please.
Which ones?
The large ones.
Grandpa said four of these.
Four, Grandpa said.
No, six.
lf you say so.
Thanks.
Ugna, come on.
Does it work?
Yes, if you plug it in.
How much does it cost?
Look at the price tag.
Does this one also work?
Odgoo, l can see two camels on the horizon.
Take a look and see if it's our boys.
Yes, it's them. But they are coming alone.
I?ll make them some tea.
What else did you see?
We went to the marketplace.
l had an ice cream.
l saw TVs and computer games.
They do it like this.
Dude, what about the musician?
He's got lots to do, but he said he'll come.
Here are your batteries, Grandpa.
Is there a TV that runs on batteries?
What do you want now?
Dad, don't we want to buy a TV?
Would you like one?
Yes, Dad, please.
What do you want to do with this devil?
It?s wonderful.
You don't need that.
You'd spend the whole day
watching the glass images.
That's no good.
Is the shop open yet?
Yes.
I?d like to buy something.
What would you like?
l would like to buy a car.
Which one?
Both of them.
Both? That makes 5,000.
What's that?
Lemonade.
And the alarm clock?
That costs 400.
How are you and your family?
Fine, thank you. And how are you?
Fine, thank you.
How has this spring been for you?
Up to now, everything has gone well.
And how has your spring been?
Fine as well.
Make yourselves at home.
This is the colt.
The sweet colt.
My son is bringing the mother.
You have many newborns.
This is the youngest.
The mother is coming.
Now she's finally letting him suckle.
The mother sounds okay now.
Now the colt will be full.
It?s a beautiful colt, isn't it?
Now it's time for a cigarette.
You would be a good singer,
with your voice.
Mother, now it's your turn.
Nonsense! l can't sing.