The Cord of Life

After learning his mother has Alzheimer’s, folktronica musician Alus whisks her away from his brother’s crowded city apartment back to his childhood home in the grasslands to look after her. While her mischievous wanderings make it a daunting task, glimmering moments of near-lucid nostalgia also bring her closer to her son. As humorous episodes ensue and an alluring neighbor enters the picture, a sudden vision of the past becomes Alus’ mother’s final wish. This sets the two off on a quixotic quest across the magnificent vistas of the steppes, stopping along the way to embrace the wondrous culture of their roots. This beautiful film juxtaposes Mongolian traditions against modern ambitions in a lyrical allegory for the impermanence of life.