Santmargaz - A Tale of Men and Leopards
14 september 2025
h. 11:40
Italian Contest – New talent first work
Brief Synopsis:
In Santmargaz, Western Mongolia, for centuries the traditional life of nomadic herders has maintained a delicate equilibrium with local wildlife, sharing the limited resources of a dry and bitterly cold extreme environment. In recent years, the growing number of cattle (sheep and goats) on the limited resources is threatening wildlife, and the risk of a dangerous conflict between wild animals and nomadic herders is on the rise. In this context, a group of young and enthusiastic naturalists is trying to develop sustainable tourism as a way to strike a new balance for all parties.
Note di Regia:
Santmargaz is not only a “first work” but also a “one-man work” as the whole film has been conceived, produced, written, filmed, and post-processed by the author. As the film is a celebration of the Mongolian traditional way of life and the precious Mongolian environment, Batzorig Vaanchig – one of the greatest professional Mongolian horse-head fiddle players and khoomei throat singers – granted the use of his music for the soundtrack. The fairy tale animation was designed by the graphic artist Nicole Floris.