Iron Winter

Climate change and cultural rites of passage.

We also believe that an exploration of this traditional Mongolian rite-of-passage will have specific relevance to a Victorian audience (We have already been accepted into the MIFF PF) who enjoy engaging and grappling with complex social issues. Throughout the Western world, traditional understanding of masculinity is being challenged; men are having to redefine what it means to be a male leader in the modern world. Equally, young Australian men often find themselves bereft of positive masculine role models, and lack culturally significant rites of passage that are positive rather than destructive. Thus, by exploring how Mongolians are maintaining their cultural tradition in the context of a rapidly changing world, The Iron Winter will provide cultural value by presenting an opportunity for us to explore these important issues around masculinity and rites of passage.

The themes will appeal to a sophisticated arthouse audience. The story is a prism through which to explore the concept of cultural resilience in the time of climate change. It raises the central question: as we all search for ways to adapt to a changing climate, how do we decide which cultural practices to maintain and which ones to let go of? Comparative documentaries with similarly strong stories set in exotic locations include ‘Velvet Queen’, ‘Sherpa’ and ‘Eagle Huntress’. A film festival premiere, followed by a theatrical release is an important vehicle to build the profile of this type of film, even though the majority of the audience will eventually view the film on streaming or TV. A secondary audience of educators and families will be targeted through an impact campaign that will explore the issues caused by the lack of healthy rites of passage for young men in Western society.

Our relationship with the community began in 2018 our writer Ed Cavanough was reporting through Central Asia. On this trip, Ed discovered the unique cultural practice of winter herding in rural Mongolia. Observing this ancient tradition on the brink of abandonment due to climate change, he felt compelled to bring the story to the big screen before it was too late. In September 2022, writer Ed and producer Ben returned to the valley at the invitation of Governor Batsekhen to shoot our sizzle video. Ed and Ben gauged the community’s interest in sharing their cultural practices with us, and identifying families and individuals who would want to participate in the project both on and off-screen. We were hearted by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response we received and filled our onset and creative team with locals from the community to help shape the true story of the tradition such as our executive producer Eenee Sengemugga.

Tourism in Mongolia and Tsaikhir Valley Herder Federation