Metaphor for racism?

I hadn't thought of it as a metaphor for racism, but that's a good observation. That does give the film a whole new dimension.

It is surely an interesting observation. But I dont think it was intended when making the movie. I think the creators just wanted to make a movie about this rare sub-culture and the whole camel story just came along as they filmed. It sure would be a hard thing to plan...also, camels are colourblind :))

You have to undrstand my friend, that not everybody watch movies with the same intentions. If your intention is to be entertained, then go watch a Van Diesel movie...fine by me, but I dont post notes saying that these people are brain-washed by a meaningless hamburger and fries-culture, with an IQ of Britney Spears.

If your intention is to experience foriegn cultures in a different way, then this is the movie for you. I was facinated with the movie, because you get a rare insight view in a culture so different with the one mentioned above.

Please accept that people use this media different and other people have other values than yourself.

I am kinda glad there are people like you in a way, it makes watching a beautifully subtle and different film like this even better than it already was. Knowing I'm not a part of the blockbuster demanding cgi soaked watered down mass market of fools that need a movie to pander to there expectations and demands. Don't worry thought another batman movie is on it's way, get back to the multiplex and start shovelling popcorn into your clearly obese face.

Dear mmmewl,

the little white camel was not meant to be a metaphor for racism. I hope you are the only person who had that feeling, this was not our intention.

By the way: White Camels give birth to brown ones and the other way around. The nomads told us, that the rejection has nothing to do with the skin color.

Best,
Tobias N. Siebert
producer of "The Story of the Weeping Camel"

[deleted]

Sleepyie - please forgive me if you were being sarcastic - it's so hard to tell as people write such stupid things sometimes. Perhaps you meant no harm?

So...

I quote you, "So nice to see them [animals] treated well by such ignorant and uneducated people as the Mongolians" - now where shall I start with this.

1. Mongolians are uneducated are they? I'd love to know if you've been to Mongolia or have even met any Monglians - because I have done both and I can assure you of the ignorance of your statement. You want some proof? Well, according to United Nations figures the Literacy rate (as good a measure of education as any) for Mongolia is 97.8%, well above the world average of 65.1% and interestingly above that of the USA, Canada and Spain (all at 97%).

2. You are showing arrogance and ignorance by even raising the issue of animal husbandry reference a largely nomadic culture - of course they treat their animals well - their lives very closely depend on doing so. For example, the mongolians are widely believed to be the best horsemen in the world and their mastery of hunting with birds of prey is awesome.

3. Mongolians are ignorant are they? Ignorant of what exactly? The latest diet craze, Britney's impending baby or perhaps quantum physics. They may not know much about these or many other things (of course some do!), but what they do know a lot about is how to live peacefully and in harmony with each other and their environment - which after all is what really matters to them. I'd like to see you survive for more than 3 weeks in the Gobi desert (believe me I've tried and it ain't easy) and then we'll see who is ignorant.

4. Mongolians are ignorant are they? I think we've proved who the ignorant one is here.

Can I just end on a more positive note - Mongolia is a most fantastic country - please go there, respect the people and culture you find there, and on returning home reflect on how lucky some of us are to live such comfortable lives, but perhaps how lucky many Mongolians are to live such peaceful and happy lives.

Russ, UK.

I agree with the other posts that racism is not pertinent here. What is pertinent is that the herders are the most gentle, wonderful people about to be aggrandized. I think rather the important thing here is the loss of the culture by the invasion of satellite television. These people are taking care of their animals in a gentle and relaxed way with no hurry, giving the animals the time and attention they need. Enter television--will they be rushing to get to prime time? And as to the wonderful intelligence of the young boy who plays imaginary games with his friend, will he become dependent on others to provide imagination for him after he spends equivalent time in front of the television set? I remember the excitement I first felt when a neighbor got a television and my sister and I could watch it on Saturdays. We were so like the little boy wishing for one of our own. When we finally did get one I wanted to sit in "front of the glass images" as the grandfather in the movie predicted. Luckily my sister commanded, "we will not watch daytime television." Although the film industry brings us the delights that this film is, it also brings us the garbage that fills our minds and our souls. Perhaps if everyone rates this film highly we will get some more visions of what life should be--mothers singing their children to sleep. Shepherds spending time and effort to get an unaccepted animal to be accepted. However, I would caution you about some rejections. I had a goat who refused to nurse one of two live births. The goat kid had an eye infection. I saved it by bottlefeeding it and it had the eye infection off and on for several years but is alive today. It is interesting that the camel offspring was rejected due to the trauma of the birth and that the music alleviated the anguish. If it is a true rendition of events, it proves correct those who say that animals have as rich an emotional life as we do. And it proves once again the magic, power, and beauty of music.