The Cave of the Yellow Dog

On the surface, The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a simple film with a simple story to tell. A young girl adopts a stray dog found in a cave surrounding her nomadic family's camp in the Mongolian steppes. As the family prepares to move to a new location for the winter season, the girl must face the abandonment of her new friend. A film such as this would stink of Disney if produced in lesser hands, but director Byambasuren Davaa avoids the obvious to tell a layered, realistic coming-of-age story. Recalling his skills as a documentarian, Davaa allows the events to unfold naturally and objectively. This approach not only serves the narrative, but also allows for glimpses into the nomadic life. Everyday tasks -- the collection of dung, the milking of goats, the pressing of cheese -- come alive, as do encroaching dangers -- wolves and, most importantly, modernization. The appearance of a truck plowing through the calm to deliver the girl from school is a jarring moment and a reminder that all is not as it seems. (Phil Morehart) Grade: A