In a province in the middle of the Mongolian steppe, 12-year old Amra (Bat-Ireedui Batmunkh) lives a traditional nomad life with his mother Zaya (Enerel Tumen), father Erdene and little sister Altaa (Algirchamin Baatarsuren). While Zaya takes care of the flock, Erdene works as a mechanic and sells Zaya's homemade cheese at the local market. Their peaceful routine is threatened by the encroachment of international mining companies, digging for gold and devastating the natural habitat. Erdene is the leader of the last nomads opposing them, and tries to unite and convince his comrades not to accept the compensations the companies have offered. But after Amra's father dies in a tragic car accident, his mother wants to give up the nomad life and trade the steppe for the city. But Amra refuses and tries to carry on his father's David vs. Goliath fight with his cleverness and the tools of an 12-year-old boy.
Director Byambasuren Davaa celebrates her fiction feature film debut with drama VEINS OF THE WORLD, which she also scripted.
Byambasuren Davaa
was born in Mongolia in 1971. She first worked as a presenter for Mongolian state television and studied international law in Ulaanbaatar. After completing a second degree in directing, she made her way to HFF Munich in 2000.
Davaa’s first feature-length documentary film THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL, won multiple awards, including the Bavarian Film Award and an Oscar nomination for "Best Documentary”.
In 2005, her graduation film THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG was released in cinemas around the world. Davaa won a variety of national and international awards, including the German Film Award in the category "Best Children's Film".
In 2008, filming of her feature-length documentary THE TWO HORSES OF GENGHIS KHAN began with Mongolian long-song singer Urna. The film had its world premiere at the Piazza Grande in Locarno 2009.
In 2020, VEINS OF THE WORLD celebrated its world premiere at the 70th Berlinale GERNERATION.
Filmography:
2020 Veins of the World
2008/09 The Song of the two Horses
2005 The Cave of the Yellow Dog
2003 The Story of the Weeping Camel
A persuasive performance from Batmunkh in the central role carries the film on its low key journey, from childhood innocence, through grief and loss of direction, to a celebration of family and tradition. And while the pacing reflects the unhurried rhythm of nomadic life a little too effectively at times, there’s a slow-burning inevitability to the film’s bittersweet conclusion.
Wendy Ide, Screendaily
Watch the trailer of “Veins of the World”
SCHEDULE AND VENUE
Filmscreening
20 November 2020, 12pm
Entry fee: 52.5 AED
20 November 2020, 12pm
Cinema Akil
WAREHOUSE 68, ALSERKAL AVENUE
AL QUOZ INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
DUBAI, UAE
