If Only I Could Hibernate

Baavgai Bolohson

64th TIFF: Greek Premiere
Mongolia's first entry into the official program of the Cannes Film Festival introduces us to the impressive cinematic debut of a woman who grew up in the yurts of Ulaanbaatar, the city with the world's highest rates of atmospheric pollution... However, the story of a young boy who sets aside his incredible talent in physics and the prospect of a proper education to care for his siblings in preparation for a harsh winter ultimately unfolds beneath a clear, prosperous sky, as he dreams of an open horizon bursting with colors. A love letter to a community that perseveres against all odds, a film brimming with energy, warming the heart to endure the bitter cold.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Zoljargal Purevdash
Script: Zoljargal Purevdash
Cinematography: Davaanyam Delgerjargal
Editing: Alexandra Strauss
Sound: Zendmene-Erdene Ichinnorov
Music: Johanni Curtet
Actors: Battsooj Uurtsaikh, Nominjiguur Tsend, Tuguldur Batsaikhan, Batmandakh Batchuluun, Ganchimeg Sandagdorj, Batsaikhan Battulga
Production: Urban Factory, Amygdala Films
Producers: Frédéric Corvez, Maéva Savinien, Zoljargal Purevdash
Production Design: Binderiya Munkhbat
Make Up: Baasansengee Munkhmyagmar
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: Mongolia, France, Switzerland, Qatar
Production Year: 2023
Duration: 98'
Contact: Urban Sales
Awards/Distinctions: Special Mention for Best International Debut – Jerusalem FF 2023

Zoljargal Purevdash

Zoljargal Purevdash is a Mongolian filmmaker who studied filmmaking at the University of Obirin,in Japan. Her short films were screened at Tampere Film Festival, Short Shorts Film Festival Asia, Open Doors Locarno Film Festival, etc. In 2021, her short film STAIRS won the first prize at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and entered the 94th Oscars Award. She is an alumna of Talents Tokyo, Asian Film Academy, Locarno Open Doors, Torino Film Lab, and Berlinale Talents. Her first feature film If Only I Could Hibernate was officially selected for the Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.

Filmography

2017 Outliers (short)
2020 Stairs (short)
2021 Naked Bulb (short)
2022 Yellow Bus
2023 If Only I Could Hibernate