Out now
If Only I Could Hibernate
Mongolia/France/Switzerland/Qatar 2023
Dir: Zoljargal Purevdash
Cast: Battsooj Uurtsaikh, Nominjiguur Tsend, Tuguldur Batsaikhan
Mongolian / 98 mins
In cinemas from 19 April 2024
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When gifted high school student Ulzii unexpectedly wins a local physics competition in Mongolia’s capital city Ulaanbaatar, he sees a chance to escape his deprived neighbourhood by competing in the national finals for the chance of a university scholarship. But when his struggling mother returns to the countryside in search of work, he has to balance the demands of looking after his younger siblings during a harsh winter with pursuing his academic dreams. The first Mongolian film to ever play in official selection at Cannes, writer/director Zoljargal Purevdash’s beautifully photographed debut feature is a hope-filled coming-of-age drama about resilience and determination against the odds.
“It’s rooted in the political but is never heavy-handed. Puevdash and her cast, particularly charismatic newcomer Batsooj Uurtsaikh in the lead, approach this subject with a gentle touch”
— Screen International
“A candid social drama with a local focus, a universal appeal, and a lot of heart”
— ★★★★ View of the Arts
“Warm, optimistic… It sheds light on a reality virtually never seen in cinema”
— ★★★★ Eastern Kicks
“Director Zoljargal Purevdash combines a personal tale with a socio-ecological subtext of the region with great subtlety and dexterity”
— ★★★★ The Upcoming