Khadak 2007

The film opens with a poignant scene of a young woman named Zolzaya (Tsetsegee Byamba) as she stares deeply into the camera and counts to twelve, repeating the number three times before tears fill her eyes. Meanwhile, Bagi (Batzul Khayankhyarvaa) is listening closely as a woman recounts his personal history. She shares that before his birth, each citizen received fresh apples weekly, distributed from the skies by pilots as part of a revered tradition in their community. One of those pilots was Bagi’s father, and the postal worker was Bagi’s mother. She speaks with a heavy heart, noting how Bagi’s father was never meant to fly, suggesting a predestined path he denied.

As the narrative unfolds, we are transported to various striking visuals: a lone blue ribbon tied around a tree, fish gliding beneath the ice of a small lake, and Bagi’s interactions with his family members, including his grandfather (Banzar Damchaa), his mother (Dugarsuren Dagvadorj), and a shamaness (Tserendarizav Dashnyam) whose arrival is awaited after a troubling episode involving Bagi. In a moment of crisis, after experiencing a seizure while searching for a missing sheep, the shamaness intervenes. Her ethereal presence guides him on a mystical journey where she echoes words filled with ancient wisdom.

As the film progresses, the harsh reality sets in when an army jeep arrives, insisting the family evacuate due to a dangerous plague. Bagi’s family is forced to leave their homeland and their beloved pony amidst rising tensions and grief. Bagi’s poignant farewell to his pony, “under the sky, upon the earth, only the wind can ride you now,” embodies the heartbreaking nostalgia of their displacement.

The following sequences showcase Bagi’s struggle to adjust to life in a coal mining community, as he navigates loss, hardship, and his family bonds with his grandfather, who reminisces about their shared dreams and heritage. The shamaness remains a haunting reminder of the cultural connections they are losing.

Amidst this turmoil, Bagi experiences fleeting moments of joy, such as when he rescues Zolzaya from being buried alive under a pile of coal. Their journey intertwines as they navigate the challenges of their new lives, with Zolzaya’s hope shining through their trials and the belief that her brother will come to save her.

Bagi is tormented by visions of the past and the burdens of his ancestors, the shamaness’s presence remaining a constant guiding force. His connection to Zolzaya grows as they manifest their desires for freedom, resisting societal constraints and reviving the spirits of their homeland.

In a climactic scene, Zolzaya and Bagi lead their fellow prisoners in the defiance of their captors using mirrors to blind the soldiers, illustrating their fervent wish for liberation. The subsequent turmoil reveals the community’s strength as they reclaim their lost animals, echoing themes of survival and unity.

The film culminates in a powerful gathering around the tree adorned with blue ribbons, where Zolzaya experiences a moment of transcendence, tying her heart to her heritage as she finds solace in Bagi’s unwavering support. The powerful imagery and emotional resonance throughout the film culminate in a vivid exploration of identity, legacy, and the unbreakable bonds of family, even in the face of destruction. The poignant recounting leaves a lingering impression of hope and resilience against a backdrop of despair.