The Story of the Weeping Camel (2004)

interesting documentary about a nomadic family of camel herders in Mongolia. And it's all about them -- no narration, no talking head "experts". Just a camera following these people around as they share meals, socialize and work. The title refers to a particiular camel who gives birth and then refuses to care for her colt. The colt's health begins to suffer, and the family takes an unusual step - bringing in a violinist to play while one of the women perform a kind of ritual with the camel in order to bring back the camel's maternal instinct. The piece the violinist plays is beautiful, and is just one of several similarly wonderful music interludes. A scene of a young mother singing what seems to be a lullaby to her toddler is magical and moving. A fascinating journey into unfamiliar territory.

[font=Century Gothic]"The Story of the Weeping Camel" is a documentary about an extended family living in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. The last of the camels has finally given birth but the mother rejects the colt. The humans are desperate to try to get the mother camel to accept her child.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Simply put, "The Story of the Weeping Camel" is not that interesting. There is little insight into how the family lives and works except they do seem rather ordinary.(Maybe this is the point...) The greater emphasis is on the camel. (Getting the mother camel to accept the colt is important but it is not explained the repercussions if this does not happen.) And humans will always interest me more than animals. I did learn quite a bit about animal husbandry especially how it applies to the birthing and care of camels, though.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=navy][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#000080]And I will be on vacation until Tuesday, October 4. I'll try and have some reviews for you when I return...[/color][/font]