Garid Magnai

SYNOPSIS: Early 1910s. A boy named Dalaitseren, orphaned at a young age and hardened by life’s struggles and physical labor, grows into a strong, capable young man. An old man from his village notices this and advises him to travel to the Danshig Festival, hoping he might get a chance to wrestle in the competition. Thus begins Dalaitseren’s long journey.

Along the way, he meets several notable figures: Ochir, a renowned wrestler known as “Moligo”; Ravsal, a wealthy merchant from the capital; Ravsal’s old servant Yadam; and Udval, Ravsal’s daughter. Ochir, recognizing Dalaitseren’s potential, takes him under his wing as if he were his own brother, training him in the art of Mongolian wrestling and having him compete in various local festivals. Through this mentorship, Dalaitseren becomes a powerful and skilled wrestler.

Eventually, he competes at the grand Danshig Festival and defeats two champion brothers who are wrestling in honor of the Bogd Khan and the Empress. Though the crowd celebrates his victory, the aristocracy is not pleased. This brings danger to his most cherished love, and the story unfolds as he fights to protect it.

The film portrays the essence of Mongolian traditional wrestling, one of the three manly sports, through the journey of a young wrestler. It highlights the values, behaviors, and way of life that define this unique cultural heritage.

DIRECTOR: Buntar Jamiyan

Buntar Jamiyan was a celebrated Mongolian film director, screenwriter, and Honored Artist of Mongolia, born in 1928. He studied film directing at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in the Soviet Union (1959–1963) and thereafter held key roles at the Mongol Kino studio as editor, director, and eventually general director.

Buntar's notable works include feature and documentary films such as Ending (1967), A Drop in the Ocean (1970), The Year of the Eclipse (1974), and Garid Magnai (1984), among others. In 1990, he was awarded the prestigious title of Honored Artist of the Mongolian People’s Republic, along with the Order of the Polar Star and other commendations.

Directed by: Buntar Jamiyan

Year of production: 1983

Country: Mongolia

Duration: 1h 40m