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Review: Mongolian Ping Pong (Lu cao di)

Mongolian DVD Adventure Inspired by Another from Africa

By Kam Williams

The Gods Must Be Crazy was the surprise hit of 1980, setting all sorts of box office records for an independent film. That charming comedy from South Africa revolved around a Bushman baffled by a Coke bottle tossed out of a passing airplane which lands at his feet.

Having no clue what this mysterious object might be, he brings it back to his village where it becomes a source not only of curiosity but of considerable conflict. Deciding that “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” he then sets off on an eventful journey across the Kalahari Desert which brings him in contact with encroaching Western civilization on his way to toss the cursed item off the edge of the Earth.

A quarter century later, Mongolian Ping Pong relies on a similar scenario to examine the lost innocence of another naïve primitive. In this instance, 6 year-old Bilike happens upon a ping pong ball floating in a creek. Because he hails from a tribe of grassland nomads whose lifestyle hasn’t changed much since the 13th Century reign of Genghis Khan, no one has a clue as to the meaning of this mysterious sphere.

Bilike‘s surmises he has found an egg, though his grandma guesses it’s a glowing pearl. Ultimately, the boy and his two best friends set off on a perilous adventure across the Gobi Desert in search of an answer they expect to find in the City of Beijing.

The good news is that Ping Pong has a unique feel and relates a totally different tale than The Gods. More atmospheric than funny, this deliberately-paced picture features some of the most breathtaking cinematography of the year. Best of all, it makes a persuasive case against the voracious onslaught of so-called progress.

Innocence recaptured.

Excellent (4 stars)

Unrated

In Mongolian with subtitles

Running time: 102 minutes

Studio: First Run Features

DVD Extras: Director’s notes and biography, and a photo gallery.