Eugene Weekly : Movies : 09.16.04

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Separation Anxiety

Reconciliation

BY LOIS WADSWORTH

THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL: Nonfiction. Directed by Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni, based on an idea by Davaa and Batbayar Davgadorj. Student producer, Tobias N. Siebert. First Assistant Director, Jiska Rickels. Cinematography, Luigi Falorni. Camera assistant, Sebastian Grundt. Sound recordist, Marc Meusinger. Editor, Anja Pohl. Sound design Ansgar Frerich, Tatjana Jakob. Sound mixer, Hans-Dieter Desinger. Starring Odgerel Ayusch, Uganbaatar Ikhbayar, Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar, Ikhbayar Amgaabazar, Munkhbayar Lhagvaa. Also, Ingen Temee and Botok. In association with National Geographic World Films. ThinkFilm, 2004. PG. 90 minutes.

Ikchee (Ikhbayar Amgaabazar) and Odgoo (Odgerel Ayusch) take care of Mother Camel and Baby Camel.

This remarkable nonfiction film was shot in the Gobi Desert in Southern Mongolia by a multi-ethnic documentary film crew, some from National Geographic World Films. Independent directors Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni met at film school in Munich. The stars of the show are members of a cross-generational herder family who live in three yurts in a relatively fertile section of the great desert.

The animal stars are Ingen Temee (Mother Camel) and Botok (Baby Camel), a rare white camel. They are a special pair to the filmmakers. This mother was the last of 20 pregnant camels in the herd to give birth and the only one to reject her baby. She did so following a harrowing birth that would have claimed both their lives without human intervention. A simple drama — the mother will not let the baby nurse — provides the plot line for this heartfelt, ethnographic film essay. In the Gobi, nightime temperatures can be extremely cold (20 below), and outrageous windstorms (100 mph) may roar in at any time. A weakened baby camel will not survive for long.

Among the four generations living there, the central character is the beautiful, resourceful young mother, Odgoo (Odgerel Ayusch). She works very hard in the house, with the children and with the animals. Her husband, Ikchee (Ikhbayar Amgaabazar), is also a hard worker. He takes care of the 60 camels and 300 goats and sheep, with help from the other men in the family. Odgoo and Ikchee have three sons: Dude (Enkhbulgan Ikhbayar), the teenage elder brother; Ugna (Uganbaatar Ikhbayaar), the younger brother; and baby brother, Guntee (Guntbaatar Ikhbayar). Family members include aged grandparents and other relatives.

Sound makes the film truly memorable — especially the high keening howl the neglected baby camel makes. It is one of the most plaintive, heartbreaking sounds I have ever heard. The human caretakers, Odgoo and Ikchee, make affirming, calming sounds to the mother camel as they try to persuade her to accept the baby. Their voices invoke the sound their nomadic ancestors made to distressed camels. But Mother Camel is not easily soothed, and the family fears it will lose the baby.

These hardy people come from a culture with a ritual to call upon when they need help. The family sends the oldest boys, Dude and Ugna, to request a musician to come and play for the disconsolate mother. It's an old tradition, and legend has it that upon hearing the violin play, the mother camel weeps and accepts her baby. But first Dude has to lure young Ugna away from the seduction of the television set he encounters and falls in love with.

I'm surprised that people living in this remote, inhospitable land developed a healing ritual that extends to their livestock. Relationships of that order are unknown in our mainstream culture, although I believe something similar exists in farming and ranching communities. In urban America, most of us don't have long-lived, widespread traditions of caring for each other, much less our animal companions. The absence of such cultural tools adds to our national spiritual malaise.

So, if you get buzzed out by the Eugene Celebration, come check out this film. It provides a way to connect with the silence, sounds, colors and beauty of an endangered way of life, in a country far, far away. Birth sequence may be too strong for very young children.

The Story of the Weeping Camel opens Friday, Sept. 17 at the Bijou, with high recommendations.

OPENING OR RETURNING:

Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See archived movie reviews.

Archaeology Film Fest, Best of 2003: Films include The Last Days of Zeugma and A Kalahari Family, Part 5, Death by Myth. Films start at 12 noon, Sun. Sept. 19, at the Bijou. $6.

Catwoman: Halle Berry makes her action debut as a stunning looking action figure. With Frances Conroy, Benjamin Bratt, Lambert Wilson, and Sharon Stone. PG-13. Movies 12.

Gold Diggers, National Lampoon's: Incompetent con men (Will Friedle, Chris Owen) scheme to marry older sisters (Louise Lasser and Renee Taylor). Ridiculous comedy, directed by firstimer Gary Preisler. PG-13. Cinemark.

Little Black Book: Offbeat romantic comedy directed by Nick Hurran stars Brittany Murphy as a wannabe newswoman who decides to check up on her boyfriend (Ron Livingston) at the instigation of her co-workers Holly Hunter and Kathy Bates. PG-13. Movies 12.

Mr. 3000: Baseball player (Bernie Mac) makes a comeback when he's in danger of losing his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. With Angela Bassett and Michael Rispoli. Lots of music. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

My Name Is Harliquin: 1988 Russian-language film directed by Valerii Rybarev shows at 7 pm on 9/23 in 115 Pacific, UO.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: Starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, this digital special effects sci-fi action film was shot without sets and locations. Brainchild: writer/director Kerry Conran in collaboration with producer Jon Avnet. Other stars include Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Gambon and Bai Ling. PG. Cinemark. Cinema World.

Super Size Me: Morgan Spurlock's documentary features snappy graphics, talking heads and the slow decline of Spurlock's health as he eats only at McDonalds for three meals a day, 30 days. Highly recommended. NR. Movies 12. Online archives.

Weeping Camel, The Story of the: A family of herders living in the Gobi Desert of Southern Mongolia have a dilemma: a mother camel rejects her baby. Fortunately, an old practice helps them remedy the problem. Heartfelt, poignant story of non-sentimental, cross-species healing and caring. PG. Bijou. See review this issue.

Wimbledon: Tennis champ (Paul Bettany) is about to retire from the game when he meets American tennis star (Kirsetn Dunst), who encourages him to compete at Wimbledon. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com

CONTINUING:

Alien vs Predator: The scary monsters from earlier film franchises duke it out on Earth. Wow! PG-13. Cinemark.

Anchorman: Subtitled "The Legend of Ron Burgundy," this comedy stars Will Ferrell as an unctuous, untalented newscaster who's a legend only in his own mind. Funny moments. Recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.

Bourne Supremacy, The: Paul Greengrass (writer, director of Bloody Sunday) directs Matt Damon as assassin Jason Bourne in the second installment of Robert Ludlum's espionage thrillers Also stars Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Kurt Urban and Franka Potente. One of the summer's best films. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.

Cellular: This Phone Booth-like thriller stars Kim Basinger, William H. Macy, Chris Evans and Jason Statham. A carefree young man (Evans) receives a phone call from a woman (Basinger) imploring him to save her life. She's been kidnapped, and he's her only chance. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.

Cinderella Story, A: Teen romance comedy stars Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, Chad Michael Murray and Regina King. Mark Rosman directs. PG. Movies 12.

Collateral: Michael Mann's thriller stars Tom Cruise as an LA hitman and Jamie Foxx as his taxi driver, who's surprised to discover he's a hostage. Together, they're like fire and ice, feeling and nothingness. A character study in action, the film is one of the best movies of the year. Very highest recommendations. Don't miss. R. Cinemark. Online archives.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story: Social rejects save their local gym from gentrification in this goofy comedy directed by Rawson Thurber and starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor and Rip Torn. Inspired lunacy recommended for your summertime enjoyment. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.

Garden State: Zach Braff wrote, directed and stars in this funny, resonant romantic comedy, which co-stars Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard and Ian Holm. Braff and Portman help the film get to a truth about what it is to be 20-something in the early years of the 21st century. Highest recommendations. R. Bijou. Online archives.

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban: Brilliantly directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), now teenagers, return to Hogwarts, where they confront an escaped prisoner, Sirius Black (Gary Oldham), who poses a great threat to Harry. They must also contend with the Dementors, who are sent to protect them from Black. PG. Movies 12. Online archives.

Hero: Jet Li, Tony Leung, Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi and Donnie Yen star in this rousing martial arts epic. Set in a war-torn China at the violent dawn of the Qin dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, three opponents plan to assassinate the king, but one loyal subject stands in their way. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives.

I, Robot: Alex Proyas (Dark City, The Crow) directs Will Smith as a police detective investigating a crime thought to be perpetrated by a robot. Also stars Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride and Bridget Moynahan. Based on Isaac Asimov's classic sci-fi stories. Recommended for its strange ambiance. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.

King Arthur: Excellent cast includes Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard, Stephen Dillane, Ray Winstone, Ioan Gruffudd. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this revisionist history, action adventure is Open recommended for its performances. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.

Manchurian Candidate, The: Psychological thriller stars Denzel Washington as an ex-career officer disturbed by his experiences in Desert Storm. Liev Schreiber plays a former squad sergeant, now a vice-presidential candidate and son of a powerful senator (Meryl Streep). An especially fine performance from Jeffrey Wright as a damaged vet suffering hallucinations. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinemark. Online archives.

Napoleon Dynamite: Jared Hess' indie comedy stars Jon Heder as a high schooler, who lives in Idaho with his grandmother. The Village Voice says, "the film is an epic, magisterially observed pastiche on all-American geekhood, flooring the competition with a petulant shove." PG. Cinema World.

Paparazzi: Drama thriller directed by Paul Abascal stares Cole Hauser as a celebrity bent on revenge against a persistent photographer he holds accountable for a family tragedy. Also stars Dennis Farina, Daniel Baldwin and Robin Tunney. PG-13. Cinemark.

Princess Diaries 2 Royal Engagement: Anne Hathaway is being groomed to be queen of Genovia, but she has to land a husband before she can be crowned. Garry Marshall directs. Julie Andrews costars. G. Cinemark.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Sandrine Holt, Oded Fehr, Mike Epps and Zack Ward must survive and escape near certain death by the ravenous undead and bioengineered weapons. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.

Riding Giants: Film about history of surfing, interviews with surfers, the time-based revolutions in surf-board technology. a film of bewitching grace and sublime delight as well as athleticism of the highest order. NR. Bijou. Online archives.

Shrek 2: Mike Myers returns as Shrek, Cameron Diaz is his new wife, Princess Fiona, and Eddie Murphy's his sidekick, Donkey. Now the newlyweds face Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and King Harold (John Cleese). Fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders), Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and the ferocious Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Sequel is so-so. PG. Movies 12. Online archives.

Spider Man 2: Peter Parker aka Spidey (Tobey Maguire) returns as a college student by day who still loves Kirsten Dunst and a superhero when needed against his new nemesis, Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina). Sam Raimi directs. Excellent film! See it. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.

Suspect Zero: As murder victims pile up, the FBI sends two agents against a killer who taunts them with his ability to get into the minds of his victims. Directed by E. Elias Merhige, film stars Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley and Carrie-Anne Moss. R. Cinemark.

Terminal: Steven Spielberg directs Tom Hanks as a tourist who has to live at Kennedy airport because his homeland disappeared in a civil war, so his passport is no good. He falls in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose comic talent is wasted in a dumb-dame role, while Hanks only works part-time. Too long and too cute. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.

Vanity Fair: Mira Nair's version of William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel. Stellar cast includes Reese Witherspoon as Becky Sharp, with Eileen Atkins, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives.

White Chicks: Comedy about FBI agents who go undercover as high school debutantes to investigate a kidnapping ring. Stars director Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn and Marlon Wayans. PG-13. Movies 12.

Without a Paddle: High-speed comedy adventure stars Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard as clueless adventurers who go into the Oregon wilderness in search of lost treasure. PG-13. Cinemark.

MOVIE THEATERS

Use the links provided below for specific show times.

Bijou Art Cinemas

Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th

Regal Cinemas

Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River Center

Springfield Quad 726-9073 |

Cinemark Theaters

Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway Mall

Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.

Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall

NEW RELEASES ON VIDEO

Now available exclusively at www.eugeneweekly.com, where you will also find new and archived movie reviews. DVD and video release dates are subject to change but should be available the Tuesday following the date of EW publication, sometimes sooner.

Battle of Algiers, The: (1965) This influential documentary-style film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, who won the 1968 best director award, has now been preserved in a high-definition digital transfer of the feature film. The story of the Algerian uprising against French colonial rule in 1954, this film is a must-have for every true cinephile. The three-disc DVD set includes no less than seven documentary features. (The Criterion Collection).

Carandiru (2004): Director Hector Baabenco's film was once scheduled for Eugene but never played here. It's based on a best-selling book on the experiences of a physician who volunteered for 14 years in a 900-man cellblock in Sao Paulo's notorious inmate-power-ruled Carandiru prison.

Coffee and Cigarettes: (2004) Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise, Mystery Train, Dead Man) returns with vignettes of famous folks swapping stories, who include Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Steve Buscemi, Alfred Molina, Tom Waits and Iggy Pop. Not the best Jarmusch ever, but as Matt Zoller Seitz of the New York Press says, "even less-than-great Jarmusch is still fascinating." NR.

Epidemic: (Denmark, 1988) Directed Lars von Trier. DVD includes von Trier's commentary, interview.

John Cassavetes: Five Films: Films include Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night. Excellent new transfers of this seminal director's best films include performances by Cassevetes' favorite collaboraters: Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk, Seymour Cassel. DVD extras sound great. (The Criterion Collection

La Dolce Vita: (1960) Director Federico Fellini's widely acclaimed and popular film follows a journalist (Marcello Mastroianni) in Rome who covers celebrities (Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimee). This film coined the term "papparazzi." Music by Nino Rota. Multiple 1961 Academy Award nominations. DVD extras include shorts, interviews, commentary.

Mean Girls: Lindsay Lohan plays a high-school student raised by zoologist parents in the African bush, who falls for a popular girl's ex-boyfriend. DVD extras include three featurettes, commentary, deleted and alternate scenes. PG-13. Online archives.

Star Wars Trilogy . Four disc set includes special editions of three films: Episode IV, a New Hope, Episode V, the Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. Fourth disc holds all-new extras such as Ken Burns' feature-length documentary on the making of the saga, Empire of Dreams, as well as other featurettes and more. (Fox)

Next Week: The Alamo, Baryshnikov's Nutcracker, The Big One, Easy Rider, Envy, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Ghost in the Shell, The Hunting of the President, Ken Burns' America Collection, Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts, Little Women, Nothing But a Man, Persuasion, Rivers and Tides, Sense and Sensibility, Super Size Me and Tess.