AllMovie

A clash between traditional Mongolian culture and that of contemporary urban culture provides the basis of this Mongolian-French boxing melodrama that opens as a group of city bikers have a conflict with shepherds on the vast steps. The story then moves to young Tamir, a young man raised by his traditional grandfather, a peasant from a small village. Tamir isn't interested in traditional ways and wants to become a professional pugilist in Ulan Bator, the country's capital. Once there he is taken in by the city's best coach, Bold. During training, Tamir falls in love with the sophisticated and somewhat Westernized Sarangua, Bold's daughter. She already has a French lover and Tamir ends up so hurt that he begins drinking heavily and forgetting about his training. Matters get worse when Tamir is blamed for the death of his friend, the poet Damdin.