Mongol

Mongol follows the early life of Genghis Khan who, born in 1162, would grow to be the man who conquered most of Asia and Russia, creating one of the most extensive empires in history, the Mongol Empire. Beginning as a humble boy who would be turned into a slave, a husband and a killer at an early age, he rises to the political arena taking down all in his path. This Academy Award-nominated film is truly a unique portrayal of the wartime epic.

Multi-talented Russian director Sergei Bodrov takes this film right into the heart of its heritage. Filming in China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, Bodrov does not fail to bring out the beauty, scale and history of the landscape, adding all the time to the realism, the beauty and the harshness of this historical epic. Bodrov also lets the landscape speak for itself; unlike other similar Asian epics which rely so heavily on CGI effects (such as Curse of the Golden Flower) that whatever on location footage there is, it is spoiled. That is not to say that GCI is not involved in this film, but it is handled in such a delicate way that the desired realism is never disrupted.

Although it did not pick up the Oscar it was nominated for, Mongol scooped six Nika awards (the Nika is the main national film award in Russia), which sums this film up in all its glory. Mongol won: Best Cinematography, Best Costume, Best Director, Best Film, Best Production Design and Best Sound.

This acclaimed film is subtitled, but that should be no reason whatsoever to put you off seeing it. Bring your friends and have fun, and if need be, bring your glasses! Once you get started reading subtitles, you will hardly know you are in fact reading. Trust me. Give it a try; it is not worth missing this wonderful film over an anxiety about being bored reading subtitles.

An exciting and innovative piece, this film is an absolute must-see!

Rachael Pilson-Wood