To Kill a Mongolian Horse

Xiaoxuan Jiang
festival
Fri 25 Apr 25 - Thu 1 May 25
  • Caution with children up to 16 years of age

In the rugged interior of Mongolia, a young horseman struggles with the demands of modern life while fighting to preserve the traditions of his people.

Saina makes a living as a herder on Mongolia’s frozen grasslands. During the day, he looks after his family’s horses; at night, he performs spectacular riding shows to pay off his father’s gambling debts and to support his young son. But his world is crumbling: climate change, poverty, and mining are slowly eroding the nomadic life he holds dear. 

Xiaoxuan Jiang subtly yet powerfully captures a disappearing world. With breathtaking images of the Mongolian steppe and intimate scenes of family life, she shows how traditions are under pressure from modernization. The visual beauty, the symbolism of human beings and horses, and the theme of masculinity, make this a unique and layered film that you don’t easily forget. 

direction
Xiaoxuan Jiang
cast
Saina, Tonggalag, Qilemuge
duration
100 min
year
2024
country
Mongolia, China
language
Mongolian, Mandarin
Subtitles
English
  • Caution with children up to 16 years of age

festival

"An intimate portrait about masculinity in crisis from a female perspective." − Pluto Film