Baavgai Bolohson

'If Only I Could Hibernate' is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates cinema that not only entertains but also inspires and moves. It's a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling and the art of film.

From the very first scene, it captures the viewer's imagination, taking them on a journey that is as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking

The performances in this movie are nothing short of stellar. Each actor brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth to their character, making the story come alive in the most beautiful way. Their ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and grace adds a layer of richness to the film that is truly captivating.

In a city well lit and dotted with numerous hilltop communication masts, we meet the young "Ulzii" (Battsooj Uurtsaikh) who is living quite a contrasting existence with his mother and three siblings in a yurt than has an one-ring electric cooker and a coal burning stove. He is a gifted physics student whose teacher (Batzorig Sukhbaatar) is trying to coax him to enter a competition and focus more on his studies, but it's increasingly clear that this young man is very much the breadwinner. His recently widowed mother reverts to the bottle when things get tough and yearns to return to the rural, herding, life she had lived before marriage. Their's is a tempestuous relationship, and when things come to an head she takes their youngest away, whilst he and the elder children remain to keep up with their schooling. What follows now sees young "Ulzii" forced to make tough choices as he must reconcile the needs of his family with the time and effort he needs to put into his studies. A lack of coal, wood and a infection in his brother that he can't afford to medicate force him to take a path that addresses the immediacy of their needs but what of his future? I thought Uurtsaikh did well here, juggling the aspirations of a young boy who wanted to be just that, with his responsibilities as a de facto father. The actors portraying the siblings work well too, creating a sense of a family unit - they all share the same small bed - that does care for each other and all want to help. The conditions are bleak. Somehow the harsh cold always looks worse amidst an urban landscape where we are offered enough of a pretty stark comparison between even the most modest of city dwellings and his family's semi-rural existence on the outskirts. It is intense at times, but it is also quite funny too. Who knew the cure for a mouth ulcer involved a saddle-bit and a big toe? It is his younger brother who comes up with the idea of hibernating, and if I'd been there I think I would have agreed.

Cinematography decent, phasing great, story not half bad. Use of Mise-en scene and Chekhov's gun are non existent. Things just tend to happen. Much of the dramatic aspects are just told or has no impact, obviously because it was never built upon. Some concepts are hard for foreign audience to understand. To the director and writer of this film: SHOW NOT TELL!

Since it's director's first feature film it's decent better than what's coming out today in Mongolian film industry. But it's not great achievement or whatever most people say it is. Honestly it would be shameful if this film was ever to be applied to Academic awards.

Really very good. Poignant socio-economic portrait of city life in modern Mongolia, more particularly of poor people who wish to get by by acquiring a good education, among other things. The harsh and cruel side often associated with extreme poverty, hard to receive, is relevant, effective and striking. We also see all the resilience, mutual aid and generosity that human beings can demonstrate. The point presented can be transposed almost anywhere in the world, even in so-called rich countries. Excellent soundtrack to support the story. The recurring musical theme is very beautiful and moving. However, at the beginning of the film, there is an error in the translation of a mathematical term, in the subtitles, surely coming from the fact that the translation was done from Mongolian to English, then to French (confusion between ''integrals'' and ''integers'' which gives ''integers'' in the translation rather than the correct term ''integrals''). A relatively open ending, as is customary in films from the Orient. This work presents us with beautiful life lessons. Good duration.

First of all, i think this is the first ever Mongolian film that represented actual reality of Mongolian suburb life which is below average living family. As of my perspective, some people do not aware of the situation of other people's living situation because they never had a chance to experience those situations even if we live under same society, government and country. Maybe this film will give people an inspiration and to being grateful for what they have now.

The slangs, it is pretty disturbing i would say but it is not fake at all. The way this film is just being the mirror of reality but not focused on make people like some other mediocre movies.

Raw and real, i will say.