Kekexili: Mountain Patrol
The best moments in "Kekexili: Mountain Patrol" come when the filmmakers let the pictures do more talking than the characters. After all, the pictures in question include glimpses of the breathtaking scenery in Kekexili, a remote region in Tibet that remains mostly unspoiled by mankind.As for the film, a dramatic thriller with some strong conservation-minded elements, it has some very effective moments. But it also has a few heavy-handed bits, including an unnecessary voice-over narration.
"Mountain Patrol" based on a true story about Chinese army veterans who formed a volunteer unit to stop poachers from killing off the area's endangered antelope population. (By the early '90s, their numbers had dwindled from the millions to the thousands, thanks to overzealous hunters.)
These unsanctioned patrol groups weren't nearly as well-armed and well-supplied as the poachers, though that didn't stop the vigilantes from pursuing their quarry — especially after one of their number was allegedly killed by the poachers in 1996.
This particular story was brought to public knowledge by a Beijing-based newspaper reporter named Gayu, played in this fictionalized version of the events by newcomer Zhang Lei.
He does have a good cast, though. In particular, Duobuji shows he has a strong, charismatic presence in his role as the patrol leader, Ritai.
"Kekexili: Mountain Patrol" is not rated but would probably receive an R for some strong violence (animal abuse, shootings and beatings), some animal gore, a brief torture scene, scattered use of strong sexual profanity, some brief drug content (hypodermic needle use), and some brief sexual contact. Running time: 90 minutes.
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