User Reviews

This is a truly beautiful film. I was spell-bound for the entire 86 minutes.

The sheer majesty of these stunning birds is captured to perfection by Mr Spaid and his "Kiran" team - as is the incredible scenery in this harshly beautiful country.

This film transports you to a place most of us will never be fortunate enough to visit. It enables us to witness first-hand the ancient tradition of eagle-hawking. A tradition which I, for one, hope will continue for many more centuries.

Highly recommended!

Every Kazakh middle-school student has read Abai's poem about eagle-hunting called "Kansonarda burkitshi shyghady angha". Some know the poem by heart and dream of going eagle-hunting. But not everyone understands Kazakh and Kazakhs. That's why "KIRAN over Mongolia" is a must-see movie. You will find yourself in Bayan Olgei, a region in Western Mongolia inhabited by Kazakh nomads. You will witness Kairatkhan the Eagle-hunter and his apprentice, Kuma, developing a brotherly relationship throughout the movie. Particularly astonishing is the eagerness and dedication with which Kairatkhan teaches Kuma. Kairatkhan even loses his cows, because of his commitment to teaching Kuma. Yet, he does not regret it. He only regrets that he does not have any brothers. Having no brothers in a nomadic environment is like living without an insurance in the West. A father of five and a husband, Kairatkhan makes his living by hunting. If you ran out of money and cannot find a job, see this movie. You will realize there are many other ways to be happy.

An excellent movie on the knowledge of the eagle-hunter. Beautiful view on the respect of mankind for those magnificent birds of prey. Integer on the culture of those people. I hope I will be able too visit these people one in my life and learn from them. The film was very informative and educational. It was a pure pleasure to watch this film. Good translation of the original language keeps the cultural elements in the picture. Great technic. Some shots lack enough lighting, so the detailed filming of some handling of the birds was difficult too see. But with life animals this is always a problem. Great respect for the photographer, the producer and the players. Paul

Eagle hunting? In Mongolia? Absolutely. If you know nothing about Mongolia, and even less about eagle hunting then you should see this movie. If you are an eagle hunting expert and live in Mongolia for 3 months out of every year, you should see this movie. The reason I loved this movie is because it really proves one of my personal beliefs; that every person has a story to tell. Even if you can't identify with the trials of eagle hunting, you can identify with the characters. The training that Kuma and Kirukan (horribly misspelled...sorry) go through is so familiar to me. The frustration of trying to prove yourself, the feeling of victory when you finally get it right for the first time... we've all been there. The film is beautifully shot and the pacing is just right. We get quiet moments that never feel too long, but there is very clearly enough action to drive the plot along. It is really a gem and if you like stories about people, then you really ought to see this.

I saw this movie as part of Cultural Center of Kazakhstan, Inc event devoted to a celebration of the Independence Day. This is a really intriguing and touching movie about Kazakh people who leave in Mongolia. The main plot is about how a young man learns how to hunt using "golden" (Kiran) eagles. The movie fully depicts the everyday lives of people in Mongolia and shows that eagle hunting is an integral part of these people. Indeed, the producer of the movie did a great job and it is by far the best movie I have seen in years. I am originally from Kazakhstan and a 100% Kazakh, and this movie woke a nostalgia in me. So, if you are interested in Mongolia or eagle hunting or would like to see an interesting movie then watch this one!

"Kiran Over Mongolia", is a beautiful document about the search of a young Kazakh to the traditions of eagle hunting. Kuma visits a yearly eagle festival in Bayan Ölgii, West-Mongolia. Hunters are being voted for their clothing, horse-decoration and the techniques of their "Kiran" birds. Kiran (Golden) means the perfect bird.

It's here where Kuma finds his teacher, Khairatkhan. At first a real Kazakh with little words, but soon to be a Kazakh with a clear opinion and good heart for traditions of his people.

In the 6 months Spaid settled in Mongolia he did remarkable work. He was able to capture the learning process of Kuma in a very natural way - with some beautiful peaks as result of his hard work: The capture of Kuma's own eagle, his first training, the first hunt and the personal conversations between him and his teacher.

Khairatkhan proves to be a very devoted hunter and teacher. The attention he gives to Kuma en the time he is with him, result in losing some of his cows. A big loss, but he does not regret: The transfer of traditions to the younger generation feels more important than the certainty of enough food for his family.

Especially beautiful are the almost surrealistic scenes Spaid captures in the endless, extreme, mountainous, region of Bayan Ölgii. Add two men on a horse with gigantic hunting birds on their arms and an amazing dreamy scenery is created.

With the clear mind Spaid "Kiran Over Mongolia" made, he delivers an indispensable and inspiring document about the valuable life and it's traditions. He succeeds to portray a group of people who really have peace with everything and everyone - and have nothing but respect for people who pay interest in their country and people.

Beautiful. 5/5 stars

When reading about modern day Falconry it is almost always described as an ancient sport. "Kiran over Mongolia" shows Falconry in its ancient ways in what is widely believed to be its birth place. It does so in modern times with a modern story. It shows the Beauty of Mongolia, the beauty of the Birds, and the Beauty of relationships between men with a common interest.

This film is truly unique and would not only be fascinating to seekers of other cultures, but to lovers of the most magnificent Bird of Prey, the Golden Eagle.

It is truly an Adventure !