AllMovie

This fascinating, exquisitely photographed Japanese-Mongolian drama offers a rarely seen glimpse into the lives of a family of Mongolian nomads and centers on the experiences of 7-year-old boy, Naran. As the tale begins, he and his five brothers and sisters are returning to the family farm for summer. During the rest of the year, they must attend school in the city. Once they arrive, the family heads off to summer pastures for their horses and sheep. Naran has a white little horse. He and his beloved mount spend much time running across the steppes. Most of the film centers on the daily lives of the nomads, but one day, Naran meets a lone minstrel and sits down to hear his yarns of Sukh and his white horse who win the great Naadam horse race only to have a villainous ruler steal the horse and then kill it. Naran is deeply moved and swears that he will compete in the race. This contest provides the film's final highlight. The film was made on location and features an all-Mongolian cast.