Customer Reviews

Close to Eden [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Did you see how the couple shared theire apple?..Did you see how close she watched him finishing the apple and then wiped his mounth for him?

And Did you see how the wife took care of the tough tasks of living in the field while her husband was in town? How capable she was...Did you see how faithful he was to his family...

How pure....how deep...makes me feel sorry for myself..Not that I want to live in there or have the same life style...Just the fact that how good someone can be in making a movie that look so natural...

It wasn't just a movie for me..It was a Full time course in social science...miillion times better than.....you know it..

Well done Nikita.

Having lived in China for seven of the past 10 years and having traveled to Mongolia many times over those years, I was surprised to find a movie which reflected the "souls" of the three nationalities I've known here: the Chinese, the Russians, and the Mongolians. In "Close to Eden" the cultures don't clash with each other; rather, they meet and reflect each other's strengths, pains, and (in the end) humanity. It is a story of a Mongolian family as seen through the eyes of the Russian truck driver in a remote area of northern China. Each culture is holding on to its own while it must intereact with the others. The actors are not "slick" or polished; in fact, most of them are not even professional actors; they are Chinese, Mongolian, and Russian people being themselves. And the movie is better for it.

Having seen this film several times, I am struck by how simple and basic its premise is. Indeed the sweeping landscapes, the daily life of the people depicted and the human relationships (and their quiet intricacy) are what makes this picture compelling. A Mongol family living in a traditional way struggling with the conventions of modern life (limits on how many children a family may have.) Most interesting is seeing the mix of modern life and provincial life when the Mongol man goes into the city with a Russian truck driver. Overall an excellent film; I only wish I had words as eloquent as Urga, the film itself.

Having been fortunate to live in Mongolia for more than two years, I was thrilled to find this movie that so accurately portrays the life of a family of nomadic herders. My Mongol friends who watched this movie with me were also impressed at the issues of trying to maintain a fragile culture in the face of strong outside forces. I could feel the soft, warm wind of the short but glorious Mongolian summer in the stunning photography of the movie. I also appreciated the quiet strength of the Mongol people that comes across loud and clear. The Russian fellow was also a very powerful character with great depth and pathos. What a great movie!!!!

Films do not get much better than this. If you are looking for a truly cross cultural experience, this is the film for you. It combines Mongolian, Russian, and Chinese cultures in a beautiful and humorous manner. From a Mongolian family's life in a yurt to the Russian truck driver who gets stuck on the Steppes to encounters with Chinese "modern civilization"...you will be amazed. Beautifully filmed with mainly non-professional actors, this is what film making should be!

I love this film! Having studied the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia for 30 years, I was enthralled by the unfamiliar Mongol eye - view of Russians and intrigued by the Mongol/Chinese relationships. When this is released in DVD, I'll be at the head of the check-out line.

Strong and serious acting! Facial expressions work to enhance all aspects. You'll not see such great child acting in a purely adult film. Perhaps the boy wasn't acting....Sit quietly with your friend/lover and know you are watching a truly intelligent film. Expect the best.