“I want everybody to embrace the pain and glory of my community”: Zoljargal Purevdash on If Only I Could Hibernate

If Only I Could Hibernate, the debut feature from Zoljargal Purevdash, explores the transformative power of education against the backdrop of Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. This poignant film – groundbreaking for being the first Mongolian feature to grace the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival – intertwines the personal struggles of a young boy with the broader socio-ecological challenges faced by his community. Starring an ensemble cast led by newcomer Battsooj Uurtsaikh, alongside Nominjiguur Tsend and Tuguldur Batsaikhan, it follows Ulzii, a maths whizz from a poverty-stricken background whose life takes an unexpected turn when he wins a local physics competition. He has his sights set on gaining a university scholarship through the national finals, but the pressures of being there for his family and mother, who is on the verge of falling back into alcoholism and depression, and the harsh realities of living in one of the city’s most impoverished districts, could prove too high hurdles to overcome. Through delicate storytelling and stunning cinematography, Purevdash’s movie traverses themes of education, poverty and environmental degradation, while also instilling hope and celebrating human resilience.

The Upcoming had the chance to hear from Purevdash during Cannes Film Festival, who told us why she wanted to tell a story about a 15-year-old boy’s struggles against pollution and poverty in Mongolia, aiming to highlight the importance of education as a solution. Purevdash shared insights into how her childhood experiences informed the story, her approach of casting non-actors from and the challenges of shooting in harsh conditions. She shared her view of poverty as the root of social issues, advocating for educational investment over symptomatic solutions.

 

Sarah Bradbury

If Only I Could Hibernate is released in UK cinemas on 19^th April 2024.

Watch the trailer for If Only I Could Hibernate here: