Those who remember The Story of the Weeping Camel with affection will not be disappointed by Byambasuren Davaa's second docu-drama. It is also set on the strikingly beautiful plains of Mongolia and imbued with the same unforced charm, simplicity and film-making skill.
The Cave of the Yellow Dog follows real-life nomads the Batchuluun family, whose daughter, the marvellous Nansalmaa, finds a puppy in a cave. She wants to keep it, which brings her into conflict with her father.
He complains that the dog probably lived with the local wolves and will attract them to his flock of sheep. She isn't allowed to keep him but she is obstinate enough to try to find a way.
Davaa doesn't go for sentiment, and certainly not mawkish sentimentality. She is more interested in making the admittedly touching story a framework for a sympathetic study of the family.
We watch them go about their daily life, worrying whether they, like many others, should move to the town to educate their kids and make a better future.
The film has one praying that they don't; their daily grind of finding enough food and tending their flock seems the polar opposite of the consumer-driven rat-race of urban life.
Davaa, meanwhile, gently suggests that if the land is privatised after the forthcoming election, it will be the end for such travellers.
The Cave is excellently shot by its German crew (Davaa was a student at Munich Film School when she made her affecting first film).
But considering this is a real family and none of those taking part have any experience of acting, the real bloom on the movie comes from their wholly natural performances.
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Even the mutt is a charmer, and old granny, who tells the tale of the yellow dog, deserves an Oscar. Davaa's film renews our faith in how simplicity as well as sophistication makes good cinema. Children will love it as much as adults.
The Cave Of The Yellow Dog
Cert: U
