As a finale to the Asia House film festival in London, Asia House are presenting Mongolian Treasures, a rare and revealing showcase of new and old films from Mongolia, featuring the first ever UK screening of Lodongiin Tudev’s classic Before Rising Up the Rank. Programme curated by Jasper Sharp with the assistance of Ariunaa Tserenpil of the Arts Council of Mongolia.

The films will be shown at Cinema Museum on 19th April 2015.

Yellow Colt (Mongolia / South Korea, 2013), 91 minutes

Doors open at 14.00, screening starts at 14.30

Director and producer: Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig

Cast: Bayarkhuu Narankhuu, Sambuunyam Damdin, Tsegmid Tserenbold

Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig’s touching debut feature tells the tale of Galt, an eight-year-old boy who, following the death of the uncle who adopted him, is taken back into his family home of nomads who make their living raising horses. Here, on the Mongolian plains far from where he was raised, he must rekindle his relationship with his estranged father, Badam.

One day a yellow colt appears in the family’s herd, whose mother had been sold without Badam realising she was pregnant. A strong affinity arises between Galt and this fellow returnee. With his father believing the colt belongs to another herder, Galt and his brother begin secretly training it for the annual Naadam horse-racing festival with advice from an older member of the community. In the process Galt discovers a new sense of kinship and connection with his homeland. Yellow Colt is a heart-warming film that will appeal to all ages, boasting some stunning landscapes and giving an evocative portrait of a timeless way of life.

To watch the trailer of Yellow Colt click below:-

Remote Control / Alsin udirdlaga (Mongolia / Germany / USA, 2013) 90 mins

Doors open at 16.00, screening starts at 16.30

Director and writer: Byamba Sakhya

Producer: Ariunaa Tserenpil

Director of Photography: Charles Libin

Editors: Byamba Sakhya & Naomi Spirio

Cast: Baasandorj Enkhtaivan, Bayarmaa Nergui, Ganbaatar Chagnaadorj

Raised in a loveless and impoverished home, Tsog supports his family by reselling his neighbour’s milk in the city, while frequently retreating from reality into the vivid world inside his head. After a senseless family row, he runs away and sets up home on the rooftop of a city apartment block, where he becomes obsessed with Anu, a young woman who seldom leaves her an apartment in the opposite building.

Tsog’s imagination begins to work overtime as he conjures up fantasy scenarios in which his fate is intertwined with that of this mysterious woman. After stealing a remote control that allows him to operate Anu’s television from his rooftop hiding place, he becomes enthralled with his new sense of power, until one day he notices a new man has entered her life. A gripping tale of obsession from the director of Passion unfolding in the contemporary cityscapes of Ulaanbataar.

Before Rising Up the Rank / Zereg Nehemiin Omno (Mongolia, 1965) 66 mins

UK Premiere

Doors open at 18.00, screening starts at 18.30

Director: Lodongiin Tudev

Producer: Dendev Chimed-Osor

Director of Photography: B. Demberel

Music: Luvsanjamba Murdorj

Cast: Zogsoolon Dorjsuren, Bat Sodnom, Danzansharav Jamyanjav

The UK premiere of this vintage classic from Mongolia’s national film studios Mongol Kino, Before Rising Up the Rank, can be described as a ‘Silk Road movie’. Set in the early 1900s, its quixotic trio of travellers, consisting of the Shaman Prince, the circus performer Boroldoi and tall and thin Doldoi, journey across a barren wilderness to the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan in Ulaanbataar to sell fabrics, overcoming a series of colourful comic escapades, encounters and adversities en route.

For each film

In advance: £8.50/£6.50 concessions (retired, students and the unemployed, with proof to be presented upon entry)

On the door: £9.50/£7.50 concessions

Day pass (three films)

In advance: £20/£18 concessions (retired, students and the unemployed, with proof to be presented upon entry)

On the door: £22/£20 concessions

Tickets are now on sale from The Cinema Museum here.

The Cinema Museum is situated at 2, Dugard Way, London SE11 4TH. Tel: +44 (0)20 7840 2200. It is located in Kennington close to Elephant & Castle tube. For more information on how to get to The Cinema Museum click here.

These films are being screened as part of the Asia House Film Festival 2015. To read about all the films click here.

To find out more about the Asia House Film Festival 2015 click here.