Review of Tulpan (2009) by Bill H — 14 Sep 2009

Never heard of this movie? Neither have I, but a friend sent an invite via text message, so down to the tiny arthouse theatre I and another friend went after Googling the film's trailer, suggesting a tale of romance. Didn't catch the first few minutes, though, so while being left in the blue and waiting for the characters to find the plot again, I was more perplexed by the setting: a lonely home/tent set in the middle of nowhere with no discerning landmarks or obstacles as far as the [camera's] eye can see. Dry hot terrain overrun by goats, camels, and whatever human family was present with occasional visits from a friend, boss of the goat flock, and a vet. Looks like one of those deep rez environments, but with no annoying neighbors/relatives. Centering on a returning sailor named Asa, hot off the heels of the Russian Navy (thanks imdb for queing me in), and he goes back to his sister's residence, also occupied by her family: husband who is a herdsman, two boys, one who listens to the news radio and relays the info to his dad and the other who's just too cute, and a girl who sings her way through life.

So what's the movie about exactly? Life on this lonely terrain? It's a pretty harsh place knowing that the wind, heat, and dust are your true friends; harsh they are, but so is life, but Asa lives in a dream as inscribed on his uniform's collar. This place seems to be his dream, yet it's so far from ever becoming a reality. The environment portrayed here looks rather forbidding, yet simultaneously seems peaceful. Perhaps Asa, having seen the world and battled octopi, is indecisive or factors doesn't pan out in his favor. Reality hits us, it is harsh, the old ways are dissolving and conflicting. Kinda odd how Asa escapes reality by diving into this barren world. I think that's how we all are. But anywho, 'tis a good movie, more documentary-like than fiction since the camera is fixated on this world and the few inhabitants. It's also very funny in some parts, which I shoulda mentioned earlier.