| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 9:36 am |
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Entertainment 
|
||||||||||||
'Tulpam': A wry, smart comedy from the steppes of Kazakhstan A movie about nomads living on the steppes of Kazakhstan sounds like a recipe for a serious, earthy documentary, a chance to see how a remote culture lives its life.And "Tulpan" offers those attributes, no doubt about it. But this isn't a straight documentary, even if we do see real places and witness the live birth of a lamb. From its very first scene, it's clear there is a wry, funny intelligence behind "Tulpan," guiding us to a very specific set of characters. In that scene, one sheepherding family is being visited by a young man, Asa, and his father, who are also shepherds. Asa seeks the hand in marriage of Tulpan, who is frankly the only eligible girl for miles around. (The movie looks so empty, it could be hundreds of miles around.) Unfortunately, Asa, a recently demobilized sailor, spends his time obsessively describing the best way to kill an octopus. Tulpan (whom we never see, just her very dubious parents) turns down the proposal. This scene is so droll, so well-timed, you realize you're in good hands for the rest of the film. The plot that follows is slender: Asa is torn between wanting to have his own sheep herd and striking out for city life. Around that dilemma we get wonderfully lived-in scenes of family life inside the yurt and vast looks across the flat, dry steppes. Everybody in Asa's family has distinct personalities (his father is skeptical about his oldest son's abilities tending the sheep), even the family dog. The director, Sergey Dvortsevoy, has a background in documentaries. He has the ability to capture all sorts of action within the time of a single camera shot, whether it's Asa's continued wooing of Tulpan or the aforementioned birthing of a lamb. As it turns out, that birth has more than just National Geographic-style interest. It's an important moment for Asa in his coming of age. Dvortsevoy has an artist's eye. He understands the power of photographing a faraway storm in the night -- but also the whimsical effect of placing the dog in the foreground of the shot. Anybody who remembers "The Story of the Weeping Camel" will find a kindred spirit in "Tulpan." And anybody who only knows Kazakhstan from "Borat" should check it out, too. "Tulpan" Nomads on the steppes of Kazakhstan involved in finding a bride for a young man. Not merely an interesting look at a faraway culture, this film is full of droll humor and family dynamics. (In Kazakh and Russian, with English subtitles.) Rated: Not rated; probably PG for subject matter Showing: Varsity |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(9) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (8)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (6)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (3)
- Ex-Boeing engineer jailed for espionage (2)
- Cigarette causes life-threatening burns (2)
- ORCA a whale of an improvement for Community Transit (2)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|
COMMENTS | Be the first to comment
Log in or register to post a new comment.
To read other terms and conditions, click here