SLIFF 2016 Review – CELESTIAL CAMEL

Ah, there’s nothing more charming than a boy and his dog. Could the same be said for a boy and his camel? Actually this is the tale of an entire family and their two camels in the harsh, arid Kalmykian steppe in Mongolia. The story begins with the birth of the title animal, a baby camel named Altynka, which the grandfather of the family dubs a celestial, full of good luck. After the elder has passed on, his son’s family is having a very tough time of it. A long drought threatens their flock of sheep, and mother is due to give birth to child number four any minute. Father decides to sell the baby camel to the representative of a film production company, who needs the animal for the background of a movie being shot miles away (their other camel perished when a stunt went awry). The three kids are heartbroken, while the camel’s mother Mara bellows with grief. Finally mother goes into labor, so papa must drive her to a distant village. The eldest son Bayir is left in charge of his younger brother and baby sister . She goes out to comfort Mara and leaves the gate to her pen ajar. Mara promptly flees into the night, so Bayir must  retrieve her alone. He hops on an ancient motorcycle and speeds off. During his search he’ll encounter a tribe of rain-making nomads (and their lovely young daughter), a drug runner, corrupt cops, oil thieves, and young circus performer on the lam. All the while, Bayir prays that he’ll spot Mara just past the next sand dune.

CELESTIAL CAMEL is a film of great beauty, boasting breathtaking images and vast, unspoiled vistas. The terrain is harsh, but often lovely especially as the brutal sun gives way to the deep purples of twilight. Also lovely are the scenes of family unity and tenderness as they struggle to make ends meet while hoping that their rickety weather-beaten, rusty shack doesn’t collapse. The family is still full of high spirits despite everything. The interplay between siblings provides lots of laughs as does the bumbling efforts of the film producer (perhaps a jab at foreign movie folks). The real stars of the films may be these fascinating animals. Mara is a caterwauling, single-minded behemoth who will charge at anything in her path. She may look hilarious as she rushes toward the camera (this would’ve been great in 3D), but we’re assured that she is, in fact, quite dangerous. And the object of her affection, lil’ Altynka couldn’t be more adorable, with his wispy blonde hair and hesitant bleeting call. There are moments of fear and peril (a rare dry thunderstorm is quite scary), but this is an enchanting fable that will entertain audiences of all ages.