Storm Over Asia

Release Date: 1928 
Director: Vsevolod Pudovkin


I just wanted to start by pointing out that the English have never actually been in Mongolia, unless that was something that I missed at some point. Also, I really think that what the English were doing in this film, the Russians were doing in reality. Or close to it.

The film starts in 1918. I was impacted by the setting. I have read the description of the Mongolian steps multiple times, but I've never actually seen it. It was beautiful, BUT it was also very windy. If this movie had been filmed with sound, then that wind would have been a serious problem.

The lama's desire for the fox skin for himself symbolizes the failure of religion. Buddhists are supposed to suppress their desire for worldy pleasures, but the lama wants the skin for himself.

In the market, there is a lot of cheerful, racial mingling.

I really liked the bad capitalist music that played when the fur trader came on the screen in his gigantic fur coat, smoking a cigar, with a plaid golf cap on his head. Ghengis shook his head at that man, and therefor shook his head at capitalism. The fur trader's greed and personal interest are more important to him than the interest of the masses. Ghengis just wants his family to get fed, hits Mr. Fur Trader (who has to oddly wrestle with his own fur-greed before being able to stand up), and has to run to the mountains.

The general is also a symbol of capitalism. He's plump and has a fantastic walrus mustache.

At this point, we skip to 1920. The gunshots are synchronized with a drum, which continues throughout the film. Ghengis joins the partisans, who are an interracial mix of people (even a woman is an equal).

There is a montage of riches before the walrus gets a good shave and his princess wife gets taken care of. His wife is super pale, which means that she hasn't worked a day in her life.

Animals get injured when capitalism is around-- soldier tosses cat when asked to gather cattle. The partisans protect the cattle, and therefore the peasants, and therefore the masses.

Lama's soul in toddler, walrus is confused but still bows to lama because of diplomatic greed. Baby smiles, we all smile. However, while making peace, the two people are fighting elsewhere. The monks (and thus religion) is portrayed as naive because they don't know of the current fight, whereas the British do.

Ghengis's blood saves him from death. Capitalism places lineage above crime. British use his name to gain power.

The creepy British missionary is also bald, just like all the Mongolians. He is the link between the two, and is religious, which means the link is doomed.

There was a lot of medically related gore at this point, with really clean instruments. I'm not quite sure what is symbolizes.

The capitalist women look all thin and ugly. Ghengis resists capitalist pleasures (drink). He then realizes that he does not want to be there, and kills his fish friends. Maybe he is a fish out of water? After he recovers from his fall, he is dressed up in capitalist clothes (Babar the Elephant!).

The last action scene was very interesting. Our walrus friend is seen with smoke bellowing from behind him (all satan-like). The camera angle continues to be crooked, which makes the chaos of the fight even more dramatic.


Note on sets: Ghengis is outside when Mongolian, inside when puppet leader. The British are not comfortable fighting on the windy steps, but the Mongolians are at home.