The kind of movie that has no reason for existence, except to keep the viewer bemused. It does that with such sly charm that when it's over, you don't even think to ask why it was made. You're simply pleased that it was.
Overview
A farmer and his wife live in a rural part of Inner Mongolia with their three children. Chinese population control policies prevent them from having any more. The farmer sets out for the nearest town to obtain birth control. He comes upon a Russian truck driver who has ended up in a lake. The farmer takes the man back to his farm, and after initially being appalled, the Russian becomes enchanted with the peaceful life of the countryside and decides to stay. But his presence presages big changes for the peasants.
Director and cast
- Nikita Mikhalkov Director
- Badema as Pagma
- Larisa Kuznetsova as Marina
- Bayaertu as Gombo
- Vladimir Gostyukhin as Sergei
- Wang Jianguo as Bayartu, a local eccentric / Genghis Khan
- Bao Yungyan as Burma, daughter of Pagma and Gombo
- Vurinil as Bowin, son of Pagma and Gombo
- Babouchka as Grandma
- Biao Wang as Van Biao
- Wang Biao as Wang Biao, Chinese pianist
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
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