In the Land of Lost Angels (2018) [Film Review]

In the Land of Lost Angels; or, Midnight Running
     I'm sticking my neck out for you. You ungrateful bitch. I'm not getting arrested because of your negligent Mongolian attitude. As a matter of fact, I am doing more than you. It is because of me your brother will get to live. Don't you forget that.
This week’s review is going to focus on something slightly different. Thanks to the generosity of director Bishrel Mashbat, I have been provided with a copy of In the Land of Lost Angels; arguably, the first Mongolian-American film. Needless to say, the tale about friends resorting to desperate measures pleasantly surprised me.

Release Info

Directed by: Bishrel Mashbat Starring: Erdenemunkh Tumursukh, Iveel Mashbat, Mike Cali, Uyanga Mashbat

Language: Mongolian, English Runtime: 90 min

Synopsis
Los Angeles, USA. Ankhaa (Erdenemunkh Tumursukh) and Orgil (Iveel Mashbat) are two Mongolian immigrants trying to get by in Western reality. When Ankhaa's little brother requires a costly treatment back home, they come up with a plan to make quick money: the kidnapping. The abduct Scott, the son (Mike Cali) of a wealthy businessman (Robert Corsini), and demand the payment of one million dollars. We follow seven days in the lives of Ankhaa and Orgil as they try to carry out their plan.

Day by Day
In the Land of Lost Angels, definitely has an arthouse/indie feel due to its low-key tone, simple story, and black-and-white colour palette. Initially, I was afraid of pacing issues, but thankfully the viewers are never hamfisted with some heavy-handed exposition or prolonged sequences that add nothing to the story. On the contrary, the drama of the characters unfolds in a step-by-step fashion: we see that having fears, doubts, and even remorse while safeguarding the kidnapee.

Essentially, the film feels like Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963), but told through the perspective of the kidnappers. In view of such a cliched theme as holding someone hostage, you would think that there is no gravity to the plot line, yet In the Land of Lost Angels manages to provide a breath of fresh air with its subtlety and minimalistic approach. What is more, the film uniquely highlights the unpopular problems of diasporic communities in America.

With regard to performances, evidently tha main leads, Erdenemunkh Tumursukh and Iveel Mashbat, dominate the picture with their presence. It is interesting to watch the conversations between friends and how their personalities clashed while going over some sensitive matters. Another great addition to the movie was Mike Cali as a hostage-in-distress. Other actors and actresses, such as Robert Corsini or Uyanga Mashbat, appear in the film very sparingly and have very little dialogue.

In an interview, the director stated that his intention was to accurately present how the Mongolians look like, talk, behave, etc. Indeed, In the Land of Lost Angels is a unique viewing experience which provides a glimpse into a culture which is not frequently discussed in the mainstream culture.

Recommendations
If you are in the mood for a sensual drama about two men committing a bad deed in order to do a good one, then I recommend In the Land of Lost Angels. I did not regret spending 90 minutes with these characters. My thanks go to director Bishrel Mashbat for sharing the screener. You can check out the film on Amazon Prime.Overall score: 8/10

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