The independent drama film, “City of Wind,” directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, has been selected as Mongolia’s official entry for the International Feature category at the 2024 Oscars. This remarkable achievement follows the film’s highly anticipated premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti Competition. Notably, Tergel Bold-Erdene, one of the lead actors in the movie, received the prestigious Venice Horizons Award for Best Actor.
“City of Wind,” affectionately referred to as Dulmaa, narrates the captivating story of Ze, a 17-year-old who serves as the shaman for his village. Despite his responsibilities, Ze diligently pursues his studies, aiming to thrive in the unforgiving and relentless environment of modern Mongolia. However, when he crosses paths with Maralaa, portrayed by Nomin-Erdene Ariunbyamba, he experiences a profound awakening, discovering the possibility of an alternative reality. The film also features exceptional performances by Bulgan Chuluunbat, Ganzorig Tsetsgee, and Tsend-Ayush Nyamsuren.
“City of Wind” marks Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir’s directorial debut. Although this is her first feature-length film, Purev-Ochir is no stranger to international acclaim. She previously directed the widely praised short film “Mountain Cat,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered attention at prestigious events such as Sundance, London, Locarno, and Busan. “Mountain Cat” received the Best Asian Short Film award at the Busan International Film Festival, solidifying Purev-Ochir’s reputation as a gifted filmmaker.
Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “City of Wind” received an overwhelmingly positive response from critics. The film’s unique storytelling, compelling performances, and thought-provoking themes resonated deeply with audiences. Building on this success, the movie subsequently had its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation, further solidifying its status as an exceptional cinematic creation from Mongolia.
In addition to her directorial talents, Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir has also demonstrated her creativity in the realm of short films. Her past work, “Snow in September,” earned her the esteemed Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the Venice International Film Festival. Furthermore, this project received recognition as the Best International Short Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. With such accolades and achievements, Purev-Ochir has proven her ability to captivate audiences and deliver compelling narratives on both the short and feature film platforms.
Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir is represented by the prominent talent agency WME, as well as Bernie Cahill and Jon Kanak at Activist Artists Management. With their support and guidance, Purev-Ochir’s talent and future projects are bound to reach even greater heights.
“City of Wind,” the first feature film by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, has taken the international film industry by storm. The thought-provoking storyline, combined with powerful performances and Purev-Ochir’s distinct directorial vision, has resulted in a powerful and captivating cinematic experience. As Mongolia’s official entry for the International Feature category at the 2024 Oscars, “City of Wind” stands as a testament to the incredible talent emerging from the Mongolian film industry.