Today’s Prayer Focus

Copyright, Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures

Wolf Totem

also known as “A Hora do Lobo,” “Der letzte Wolf,” “El último lobo,” “L'ultimo lupo,” See all »

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA)

for disturbing images and violence involving animals, and for brief sexuality.

Moral Rating:	not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	Adults
Genre:	Adventure Drama 3D
Length:	2 hr. 1 min.
Year of Release:	2015
USA Release:	September 11, 2015 (limited—100 theaters) DVD: December 15, 2015

Relevant Issues

Wolves in the Bible

Sheep and shepherds

Horses

Tradition versus modernity

Death of husband

Animal trapping

Featuring	Shaofeng Feng … Chen Zhen Shawn Dou … Yang Ke Ankhnyam Ragchaa (Ankhnyam Rachaa) … Gasma Yin Zhusheng … Bao Shunghi Ba Sen Zha Bu (Basen Zhabu) … Bilig Baoyingexige … Batu
Director	Jean-Jacques Annaud — “Two Brothers” (2004), “Enemy at the Gates” (2001), “Seven Years in Tibet” (1997)
Producer	China Film Co. Reperage See all » Beijing Forbidden City Film Mars Films China Movie Channel Beinjing Phoenix Entertainment Co. Chinavision Media Group Hérodiade Loull Productions Edko Films
Distributor	Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “In 1969, a young Beijing student, Chen Zhen, is sent to the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia to teach shepherds. Instead, he learns about the shepherds and the bond they share with the wolves, a bond that is threatened by a government apparatchik.

a poignant film with stunning locations and photography about the relationship between man and nature, a small work of art, a journey of discovery of Mongolia and its people

Chen Zhen lives among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Caught between the advance of civilization from the south and the nomads’ traditional enemies—the marauding wolves—to the north; humans and animals, residents and invaders alike, struggle to find their true place in the world. The film is based on the semi-autobiographical 2004 Chinese novel of the same name by Lu Jiamin under the pseudonym Jiang Rong.”

Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

Movie Critics

…lupine thrills and pack mentality… “Wolf Totem” has undeniable elemental, even spiritual, power at its disposal. …at times fantastically exiting, at others bogged down in muddy metaphor … [3/5]

Phil Hoad, The Guardian (UK)

…boasts outstanding production values… magnificent natural vistas and some pulse-pounding action in stunning 3D… boils down to a familiar environmentalist allegory that doesn’t move or provoke too deeply.

Maggie Lee, Variety

…A blockbuster made in China, for China… “Wolf Totem” wants to look and feel like those Hollywood movies we all “know and love.” But something ends up lost in translation. Its aspirations of looking and feeling recognizable end up uncomfortable and embarrassing. … [1½/4]

John Semley, The Globe and Mail

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.