To Kill a Mongolian Horse

On the windswept steppes of Inner Mongolia, Saina—a herdsman by day and horseback stunt performer by night—struggles to maintain his traditional way of life as the world shifts. Caught between a past that has been repackaged for tourists and a future that is uncertain at best, Saina’s heart remains in the countryside, where riding his beloved white stallion is his only freedom. This elegiac debut, inspired by actual events in the life of its star, beautifully captures the personal toll of grappling with rapid societal change, the challenges of intergenerational frictions, and the slow erosion of cultural identity. The film’s non-professional cast brings warmth and authenticity to the screen, the horseback performances are spectacular, and the Mongolian landscapes are utterly breathtaking.