123. If Only I Could Hibernate (Baavgai Bolohson); movie review
IF ONLY I COULD HIBERNATE (BAAVGAI BOLOHSON)
Cert TBA
96 mins
BBFC advice: TBA
A heart-wrenching and heroic story unfolds against the backdrop of abject poverty, freezing cold, and toxic air pollution in If Only I Could Hibernate.
Zoljargal Purevdash's film, the most celebrated ever to emerge from Mongolia, explores the struggles of those living in its capital, Ulaanbaatar.
It centres on a family in its Yurt district, where people live in large tents.
They only survive winter temperatures of minus 35C by burning coal, wood, or cardboard.
Despite facing these conditions with his mother (Ganchimeg Sandagdordorj) and three siblings, the teenager Ulzii (Battsooj Uurtsaikh) has big ideas.
His natural talent in maths and physics is nurtured by his teacher (Batzorig Sukhbaatar), who encourages him to compete at regional and national levels.
If he is successful, he may be given the chance to study abroad.
Unfortunately, however, the dice continue to be loaded against him at home, where he has to be the de facto head of the family because of his mum's alcoholism.
If Only I Could Hibernate sees life through Ulzii's eyes as he exhausts himself by trying to throw himself into school work, odd jobs to raise money and helping nurture his siblings.
His friends tempt him into crime for easy money, while he has a glad eye for a girl in his class.
The result is that the well-adjusted boy becomes more frustrated on all fronts.
Meanwhile, the children's health is at risk due to inadequate attempts to keep them warm and the greater danger posed by the cold when the coal supply runs out.
We were enamoured with the cast's performances in Purevdash's movie even before we knew they were non-professionals recruited from Ulaanbaatar's Yurt district.
That makes them extraordinary and adds weight to a remarkable picture that had already touched our hearts.
Reasons to watch: Remarkable insight into a different culture
Reasons to avoid: Unsatisfying ending
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10
Did you know? If Only I Could Hibernate is the first Mongolian film to play in Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival.
The final word. Zoljargal Purevdash: "I wanted to make a story about this pure and innocent 15-year-old boy who dreams of a better future, but he needs to find something to burn every night because his family has fallen into poverty." A Good Movie To Watch
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