A lone ping-pong ball floating along a remote Mongolian river sets a trio of young boys on the adventure of a lifetime in director Ning Hao's tale of discovery and adventure in east-central Asia. Little has changed in the landscape of Mongolia since the ancient days of Genghis Kahn, so when Bilike, Erguotou, and Dawa discover a mysterious white ball dancing along the surface of the water, their curiosity quickly gets the best of them. Informed by Bilike's grandmother that the strange sphere is a
glowing pearl from heaven, the three youngsters stay up all night waiting for the ball to light up, to no avail. When inquiries to others offer nothing but perplexed looks and wild speculation, Bilike, Erguotou, and Dawa travel to a faraway monastery to seek the wisdom of the wise lamas and unlock the secrets of their odd discovery. That, too, offers more questions and answers as the sheltered lamas admit to never having seen an object of such origins, though, and it isn't until the trio witnesses a ping-pong tournament on a television won by Dawa's father that they finally realize their discovery is the "national ball of China." Now determined to return the ball to its rightful owners, Bilike, Erguotou, and Dawa set out on the road to Beijing without realizing how far the technologically advanced capitol of China truly is from their serine Mongolian paradise. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Somehow, Hao never breaks the spell of enchantment over the proceedings. He doesn't find the characters quaint or amusing, he finds them real and human and confers the full dignity of existence upon them.
Although its leisurely pace might be a bit tough going for restless Westerners, Mongolian Ping Pong is the kind of film that should be seen by children, not just adults.
Like the best films about children -- and Iranian filmmakers have been particularly good at this -- it puts the camera right among them, and sees the often-confusing world of adults through their eyes.
A quarter century after the release of The Gods Must Be Crazy, this charming variation on the theme relies on a similar scenario to examine the lost innocence of another naive primitive.
More atmospheric than funny, this deliberately paced picture features some of the most breathtaking cinematography of the year. Best of all, it makes a persuasive case against the voracious onslaught of so-called progress.
Less concerned with its plot, which is gossamer-thin and not terribly involving, than with describing the nature of the lives these inhabitants of the remote steppe lead.
With wonderfully natural performances by the children, this is a family movie that crosses cultural boundaries in a celebration of the magical possibilities inherent in everyday objects.
Visually a beautiful film that does not have much in the way of story for the viewer to hold on to for it's 100 minute running time. Has some very noteworthy ambiguous moments that could lose some people. Not essential viewing, but if you don't mind a quiet foreign film, you won't be any worse off for having watched
it.
Refreshingly non-western. Unlike most films that get called "kid's movies," this one can actually make adults remember what it felt like to be a child. The amazing visuals help too.
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