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 huan
Lu's "Mountain Patrol" is truly extraordinary in
many ways, not least in the incredible real-life hardships endured by the
cast and crew during the filmmaking process. The film was actually shot on
location in the remote Hoh Kil (Kekexili) region, which lies across the
borders of Western China, Tibet and Uygur, and is the third least inhabited
area in the world. At a height of around 4,600, living conditions are harsh
at best, and the cast and crew were beset with intense fatigue, freezing
cold, debilitating illness, and even a tragic fatal accident.
The final result is a stunning,
beautiful, moving and realistic film which chronicles, in an almost
documentary-like fashion, the incredible story of a band of volunteers who
attempt to stop poachers from preying upon the endangered Tibetan antelope.
Although emotional, the film is cruel and unflinching, treating the
complexities of the situation with due respect, and never falling into the
trap of cheap sentimentalism or flag waving environmentalism. As a result,
"Mountain Patrol" carries a powerful, desperate message about the
search for hope and the meaning of life in a way that is exceptionally
inspirational, and likely to stay with the viewer for a considerable length
of time.
Despite some initial disinterest in its native China
and suspicion regarding the fact that it was in part funded by a major
U.S. film studio, sixth generation director Lu Chan (whose previous film
was his critically acclaimed debut, "The
Missing Gun") has seen the film reap considerable praise, as well
as a growing number of prestigious awards. These have so far included the
'Special Jury' award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the 'Best
Picture' award at the 2004 Golden Horse (which in itself was remarkable,
given that mainland Chinese films are rarely allowed into competition at
the Taiwanese awards show), and nominations for Best Director and an award
for the cinematography by Cao Yu.
After a shocking opening in which a member of the
mountain patrol is coldly executed by bandits, the plot follows Ga Yu (Qi
Liang), a reporter from Beijing who travels to the region to do a story on
the volunteers. He teams up with Ritai (Tibetan actor Tobgyal), the leader
of the patrol, who takes him out on one of their missions after they
receive information on the whereabouts of the poachers. As they travel
through the wilderness tracking their quarry, the incredible odds facing
the penniless volunteers become apparent, as they battle not only a
well-armed and ruthless enemy, but the unforgiving forces of nature
itself.
Chan's direction, perfectly accompanied by Yu's
stunning cinematography, is wonderful, and he makes full use of the
breathtaking scenery without ever exploiting it for mere eye candy. The
wilderness becomes an uncaring, deadly character, and plays a vital role,
not only as an obstacle, but also as a source of inspiration and
spirituality for both the volunteers and the poachers. Chan's direction in
"Mountain Patrol" is vastly different from the flashy style
shown in "The Missing Gun", and here he aims for a more
detached, realistic and at times brutal effect.
It is this even handed approach, coupled with the
documentary feel that Chan uses to give the film a deeply honest and
thoughtful aspect, which raises it above being any kind of
environmentalist rant. The mountain patrol are far from saints, and are
instead a ragtag collection of passionate but desperate souls often forced
to sell the goods seized from the poachers in order to buy their own
supplies and guns. Similarly, the poachers themselves are never demonized,
and are sympathetically portrayed as farmers whose ruthlessness stems from
land seizures and enforced homelessness. Although there are a fair few
unpleasant scenes involving the slaughter of antelopes, Chan never uses
this to shock overtly, or as an obvious tug at viewer heartstrings.
The film as a whole is honest and uncompromising, not
the least because it utilises amateur Tibetan actors in almost all the
roles save that of the journalist. Although Chan never really tries to
explain the motivations or the emotions driving the characters, their
passions and belief are revealed tellingly through their actions and the
extraordinary lengths they are willing to go. Their efforts are truly
inspiring and give the film a real heart as it meditates in fascinating
fashion about the meanings of life and hope.
In addition to such worthiness and earnest
contemplation, "Mountain Patrol" is a genuinely exciting and
harrowing experience. Running for an all too brief ninety minutes
(apparently cut down from nearly three hours), Chan keeps things tight and
fast paced, and though he does occasionally wander off into anecdotes,
these sit quite comfortably with the documentary style approach. There is
a fair amount of action, with some very grueling survival sequences that
easily carry more drama and impact than any of their Hollywood
counterparts. Along with its plain-faced honesty, the film never falls
into elitist art house pretension, and should in no way fail to appeal to
the average viewer.
"Mountain Patrol" is ultimately a rewarding
experience, and goes beyond its initial emotive premise to explore the
very nature of human existence in this cruel, cold world. Easily one of
the best films of the last few years, "Mountain Patrol" deserves
a global audience, and indeed recognition, as a vital, outstanding piece
of cinema.
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