David O'ConnellMIFF 2010: Lourdes/The Two Horses of Genghis Khan
August 2nd 2010 06:01
Lourdes
Jessica Hausner’s latest film falls out of the starting gates into a full-scale crawl, following as it does a pilgrimage to the iconic place of holy water and miraculous cures. Though a wider spread of afflicted attendees earn peripheral glances from Hausner’s slowly revolving gaze, it’s Christine (Sylvie Testud), suffering from advanced Multiple Sclerosis, who is the central figure in this very deliberately paced drama.
If you survive the first half of Lourdes (2009), you might actually find it beginning to work its way under your skin by the time its strangely magnetic, lengthy and ambiguous final shot arrives. But will you even care by then? Using minimal dialogue and a pedantic attention to detail, the pilgrimage – observed mostly from Christine’s point of view - has an ethereal, unworldly feel but simultaneously seems frustratingly unfocused.
With its pedestrian pacing and snatches of ecclesiastical music, Lourdes makes for challenging viewing. This is the type of understated storytelling that is likely to be far more rewarding on further viewings. The tone of Hausner’s film is difficult to gauge but it never feels heavy-handed, regardless of the slant of its most salient, but subtly espoused viewpoints. The reverence and the incorruptibility of faith is respectfully acknowledged, whilst slightly cynical jibes, such as those from the perspective of security guards and other onlookers feel like perfectly weighted counterpoints.
Testud, who I’m most familiar with from Alain Corneau’s brilliantly eccentric Fear and Trembling (2003) gives an admirably restrained performance, whilst it’s fun to see Elina Lowensohn - best known from Michael Almerayda's Nadja (1994) – in the role of pilgrimage leader, Sister Cecile.
The Two Horses of Genghis Khan
Though essentially about one woman’s quest to trace the missing verses of an important allegorical song much loved by her people in Inner Mongolia, The Two Horses of Genghis Khan proves to be a moving examination of the richness of a country's music, culture and tradition. The central figure in such a nomadic search needs to be persuasive one and in singer Urna Chahar-Tugchi, director Byambasuren Davaa has a winning personality who is capable of lighting up a room with her smile.
Urna draws smiles from everyone she meets as she travels to Outer Mongolian capitol Ulan Bator with her grandmother’s violin head in her possession. Upon it is engraved a transcription with words from the song; another major reason for Urna’s quest is to have the instrument restored in a traditional way thus preserving her grandmother’s wish that it be a source of musical joy for the first time since it’s disassembly became necessary during Chinese’s Cultural Revolution.
This may seem like a proudly modest film, but its gentle, meditative nature has a calming effect, especially when Davaa makes the most of Mongolian musical forces, exemplified by the exotic, alluring voice of Urna herself. It’s also a fascinating glimpse into a remote part of the world which contains its full share of natural beauty in backdrops resting against domestic abodes that we might be too hasty to deem crude and undisciplined. The Two Horses of Genghis Khan makes for glorious, uninhibited poetry on the big screen and is an unexpected highlight of the Festival so far.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
As for 'Two Horses' that really doesn't appeal - sounds like there have been a few duds at MIFF this year.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for the reviews, but neither sound enticing.
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Keep up the MIFF love, Dave - I've been reading most of the posts without the time to comment. Great stuff.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Thanks JD, definitely not to everyone's taste here, but Matt - I think you'll love Two Horses mate! Maybe Brisbane will pick it up, I've never really seen much footage from inside Mongolia and it really has made me more curious about the place. Fantastic documentary this one, and Urna certainly makes for a captivating guide and presence!
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I'm with Matt on Two Horses and my own fascination with Mongolia. I would love to see that one for the story and also for the country itself. One day, I hope.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic