15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A poignant look at contemporary Mongolian life., November 18, 2001
This review is from: Close to Eden [VHS] (VHS Tape)
An excerpt from the book "Wild East" by Jill Lawless, tells of well-heeled travellers who, after viewing "Close to Eden" are inspired to make the trip to Mongolia. Perhaps it is the stunning vistas of the Mongolian steppe, or the sense of urgency to experience a way of life that is on the brink of being overrun by the trappings of modernity.
The opening scene shows Gombo running after his wife, carrying an urga (essentially a long pole with a lasso used to catch sheep). He plants the pole before attempting to make love with his wife. His wife resists his advances for fear of having a fourth child, which is illegal in China.
The movie focusses on the lives of a Mongolian family living in China. Gombo, the man of the house, represents the quintessential stoic Mongolian male. Chastised by his wife for being backward, he goes to the city in search of condoms and a TV set. Sergei, a Russian worker from Irkutsk provides some comic relief. Yet he is the link that we can identify with, especially when he cringes at the slaughter of the sheep.
Visions of the old and new predominate. Gombo's mother sitting sliently popping bubble wrap, Ghengis Khan attacking his newly purchased TV set, Gombo riding through a modern town with two horses, and Gorbachev and the elder George Bush on TV as seen from the inside of a Mongolian ger. All in all, a pretty accurate picture of present day Mongolia.
At the end, Pagma (Gombo's wife) throws caution to the wind and beckons Gombo who runs after her with the urga.
The site where the urga was planted, eventually becomes a billowing smokestack. perhaps signifying the corrupting influence of the present, creeping into Gombo's family.
All in all, a well made film, while showcasing the stunning vistas of a very photogenic land, although it sometimes falls into the trap of being overly romantic and sentimental. Recommended viewing.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely glimpse of another culture, September 16, 2000
This review is from: Close to Eden [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The warmth and love between the members of the Mongolian family are what remain most firmly lodged in my memory. This film affirms that no matter how alien the culture, we are all basically the same beneath the skin. We can understand each other. The end of the film is especially touching. The husband does what he can to modernize their lives even though he is deeply disturbed about the break from traditional ways. The wife sees this and does something that shows that she recognizes this. Wonderful film.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real suprise, July 3, 2001
This review is from: Close to Eden [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This reflects the expansion of the Soviet empire with the culture of a Mongol family in the middle of nowhere and the Chinese in the nearby town. I bought the film to improve my Russian and because it was cheaper, but the Mongolian family speaks Mongolian throughout so subtitles were most helpful. The preparing of the sheep for dinner stands out as an expression of hospitality (and you can not claim no animals were harmed during the making of this film). I found the film shows a different world to make us busy and affluent Americans rethink our lifestyle and consider what is really important in life.
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