Exploring the City on the Steppes | Documentary - Тал нутгийн хотыг нээхүй (2023)

The Goethe-Institute initiated the "Urban Walks" regional project, which includes seven East Asian cities: Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Ulaanbaatar. The Ulaanbaatar team implemented this project under the name "Exploring the City on the Steppes" by Mend-Amar Baigalmaa & Erdene Enkhjargal. The project continued from April to November 2023, and during this period, the following events took place: Part I: Brief introduction to the Ulaanbaatar International Media Art Festival (May 2023). Part II: Walking tour of the city with more than 20 participants guided by Ochbayar Gerel, a researcher from the Ulaanbaatar City Museum (27.08.2023). Part III: An exhibition combining historical photographs and modern 360-degree videos of sections along the route, presented in the Red Ger Gallery. Part IV: A short documentary about the history, features, and memories of Ulaanbaatar along the selected route. Six guests shared their memories of the buildings along the chosen route. The aim was to help the audience understand how these old streets and historic buildings should be preserved for future generations. "Located in the heart of Asia, Ulaanbaatar City has witnessed many changes in urbanization and uncontrolled immigration throughout its history since 1639. In the last few decades, the citizens of Ulaanbaatar have seen many historical buildings and sights disappear to make space for generic and characterless office and high-rise apartment buildings. It is important to understand that a city is not just an assortment of buildings but rather a living organism that thrives on the memories and lives of its citizens. This project aims to discover and explore the beauty of Ulaanbaatar through urban walking in the hopes of rekindling the unique connection between the city and both its citizens and visitors..." PRODUCTION Director: Erdene Enkhjargal Producer: Mend-Amar Baigalmaa Cinematography: Tugsbileg Orgil Drone: Mathieu Bernard Hagg 360 Camera: Bolorsuvd Olzod, Dulguun Enkhtsog Editor: Erdene Enkhjargal Sound Design: Enkhmanlai Chuluunjav Illustration: Uuganbaatar Munkhbat Map Illustration: Byambajavkhlan Baigalmaa Tour Guide: Ochbayar Gerel Research Advisor: Ochbayar Gerel Translation: Zorigt Jargalsaikhan Translation editor: Mathieu Bernard Hagg GUESTS Sanjmyatav Lovuu, Photojournalist Tsetsenbileg Magsarjav, Cultural heritage specialist and lead singer of alternative rock band Night Train Uranchimeg Zinamider, Hairdresser Ochbayar Gerel, Researcher at Ulaanbaatar City Museum Irja Halász, Finnish journalist and producer Amgalan Sukhbaatar, Architect and urban anthropologist ADVISORS Pau Szczap, Amgalan Sukhbaatar, Tserendolgor Saintur, Bilguun Tsogtbaatar, Mathieu Bernard Hagg, Batzorig Sukhbat MUSIC Night Train - Blue Bird Murdorj Luvsanjamba - My Homeland Bodikhuu - City Sadness; Spring Altai Band - Altai Praise Song; Khukh Altain Uyanga Adarsuren Peljee - Huvirashgui Setge; Niisleliin Okhin Delkhii - Lord of the Land PHOTO Harrison Forman, Werner Forman, Nyamtsogt Galsantseren, Tugsbileg Orgil, Thierry de Gruben, Péter Inkei, Bat-Orgil Battulga, Irja Halász, Teemu Ikonen, Munkhtsetseg Nyamgerel, Batzorig Battulga, Mend-Amar Baigalmaa and Ben Moyle SPECIAL THANKS TO Leonhard Heydecker, Odgerel Odonchimed, Dorjkhand Davaa, Gantsetseg Tumurbaatar, Bilegsaikhan Davaadorj, Nagnaidorj Badamsuren, Bilguun Tsogtbaatar, Georgia Brown Goethe-Institute Mongolia, Arts Council of Mongolia, Red Ger Gallery, University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, American Geographical Society Library, Monsound and Vision Foundation, Antitheziz Atelier, Noise Art Media