A Mongolian Tale tells the story of 2 childhood sweethearts from their youth into their adulthood as set on the Mongolian steppes. Grandma is living with her orphaned granddaughter, Somiya, when she accepts into her home a boy, Bayinbulag, whose mother has died and his father cannot care for him. Though raised as brother and sister, Somiya and Bayinbulag grow close. As Bayinbulag (now played by the Chinese-Mongolian pop singer, Tengger) is about to enter adulthood, his father suddenly writes and orders him into the city to study veterinary science. He leaves but promises Somiya that he will marry her when he returns. 

While in the city, Bayinbulag also becomes a student of music. When he returns 3 years later, he discovers that Somiya has become pregnant by another man. Heartbroken, he leaves once more. 12 years later, Bayinbulag has become a celebrated folk singer. Somiya, meanwhile, has a daughter, with 4 sons by marriage but is neglected by her drunken husband. Bayinbulag suddenly finds himself in the position of being a father figure for the daughter.

 

AWARDS RECEIVED:

1995 Montréal World Film Festival, Best Director and Best Artistic Contribution: Tengger (music)