The kind of movie that has no reason for existence, except to keep the viewer bemused. It does that with such sly charm that when it's over, you don't even think to ask why it was made. You're simply pleased that it was.

It was only in the second half... that the film seemed to lift off of its own accord, and I realised I was watching something exceptional.

Mikhalkov's beautifully shot tale of the impact of modernization on rural Mongolia was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar.

Interesting slice of life film about a family of Mongolians trying to live their traditional life in spite of Communist edicts.