The Story of the Weeping Camel (2004)
92%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
10 wins & 9 nominations total
The Story of the Weeping Camel is a cinematic masterpiece that captures the essence of nomadic life in the Gobi Desert with stunning visuals and a heartwarming story. The film’s patient and observational approach immerses the viewer in the world of the nomads, allowing us to appreciate their resilience, cheerfulness, and resourcefulness. The camel’s weeping is a poignant reminder of the deep connection between humans and animals, and the film’s subtle spiritual power is a testament to the beauty of the natural world. With its unique blend of documentary and poetic realism, The Story of the Weeping Camel is a must-see for anyone who loves cinema and humanity.
The Story of the Weeping Camel” is a heartwarming and unique film that will make you feel all the feels. From the stunning landscapes to the charming characters, this movie immerses you in the world of nomadic peoples and their way of life. And let’s not forget about the star of the show, the weeping camel, who will have you shedding tears right alongside her. It’s a simple yet beautiful tale that will leave you feeling uplifted and grateful for the human and animal connections we share.
Production Company(ies)
Bandai Visual Company, Cinequanon Eisei Gekijo
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Aimak, Inner Mongolia, China
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some mild thematic content
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):Mongolian
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Country of origin:Germany, Mongolia
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 6, 2003 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2005
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
The Story of the Weeping Camel, PG, documentary, Mongolian, directed by Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni, produced by Tobias Siebert, starring Ikhbayar Amgaabazar, Zeveljamz Nyam, Amgaabazar Gonson, Chimed Ohin, Janchiv Ayurzana, Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar, reviewed by Nick Schager, Steven D Greydanus, Geoff Pevere, Liam Lacey, Peter Rainer, Jeannette Catsoulis, Tom Dawson, John A Nesbit, Agnieszka Tennant, Enrique Buchichio, Louis Proyect, box office gross $1.7M, budget unknown, rated PG for some mild thematic content, documentary about nomadic shepherds, Gobi desert, white camel calf, rejected by mother, two boys sent on journey to find musician, save calf’s life, resilience, cheerfulness, resourcefulness, vanishing way of life
Worldwide gross: $9,328,652
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $14,715,822
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,827
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,604,779
US/Canada gross: $1,763,052
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,781,191
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,957
US/Canada opening weekend: $21,767
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $34,337
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,335
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Zeveljamz Nyam – Zevel
Amgaabazar Gonson – Amgaa
Chimed Ohin – Chimed
Janchiv Ayurzana – Janchiv
Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar – Dude
Director(s)
Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Tobias Siebert
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
10 wins & 9 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (103) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (97) | Rotten (6)
Exudes a subtle spiritual power.
November 13, 2006 | Rating: B+
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
As unique as the title animal: unrushed as a donkey, shaggy as a llama, sturdy as a horse — and, it turns out, with a sensitive soft spot for music. Who’d’a thunk?
January 21, 2005 | Rating: A-
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films
TOP CRITIC
Chances are, if you’re susceptible to this movie’s gentle charms, you’ll weep when the camel does.
August 20, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
The characters are charming, the colours of the carpets in their yurts colourful and the emphasis on family inescapable.
August 20, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A simple and radiant piece of humanism.
August 7, 2004
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
An astonishing, mesmerizing film about a vanishing way of life
July 20, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Jeannette Catsoulis
Las Vegas Mercury
TOP CRITIC
Davaa and Falorni immerse the viewer in their chosen world. Their patient, observational approach pays dividends, allowing us to appreciate the resilience, cheerfulness and resourcefulness of the nomads.
April 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Tom Dawson
The List
a charmer
May 14, 2012 | Rating: B
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
This quirky docudrama speaks a more universal language: Who does not feel for a child abandoned by his mother?
September 26, 2006 | Rating: 4/4
Agnieszka Tennant
Christianity Today
Un relato extraordinario, revelador de la naturaleza humana (y animal), a medio camino entre el registro documental y el realismo poético.
June 13, 2006 | Rating: 5/5
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total
Beautiful and compassionate tale of nomadic peoples that ranks with the best of Robert Flaherty’s documentaries.
January 7, 2006
Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews
Simple yet charming.
April 6, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
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