Busan reviews ‘They Sing Up on the Hill’

The premiere of “They Sing up on the Hill” feature film by L.Bat-Amgalan is taking place at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) from October 4 to 13. In the BIFF, the film was chosen in ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ section.

The film was co-written by Ian Allardyce and the cast of the film includes famed Mongolian artists including Magnolian, NMN, U.Tsogtbayar, B.Garod, G.Khongor, Ts.Munguntovch, B.Enkhsaikhan, Jamukh and many other artists.

Busan Review has evaluated the 85-minute film and said it was “a sweetnatured but featherlight musical romance from Mongolia. Set against Ulaanbaatar's young music scene, this Mongolian-British collaboration suggests that wherever you go in the world, there are some constants – for example indie guitar bands will have arrogant lead singers who mooch around sullenly under floppy forelocks, groups will fall foul of musical and personal differences, and love, sooner or later, will save the day.”

Some criticisms of the film say that the atmospheric shots in and around Ulaanbaatar and the urban landscapes feel “slightly as if it’s padding out a narratively underdeveloped story” until the two lovers get together.

Overall, the BIFF has taken well to the film, but wanted it to show a bit more about Mongolian culture with Screen Daily reporting saying, “You can’t help but wish the film had given us a little more of the traditional music, or at least a little more insight into the actual Ulaanbaatar scene.”