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FIRST STEP

"FIRST STEP"

Director: Jigjidsuren Gombojav
Cast: Tsetsegbaljid Banzragch, Tserendash Samdan, Tsegmed Nyam, Dondog Dugar, Khurel Choi, Sharavdoo Yondon, Gantumur Tserendejid, Baldanpurev Sambuu
Country: Mongolia
Language: Mongolian
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 68″
Release Year: 1970
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Synopsis: Myadag, a young woman and a student at the University of Agriculture, is assigned to a haymaking brigade led by Dorj. The brigade includes seasoned haymakers—old men Baldan, Jugder, the Buryat Bazar, and the young haymaker Bold—who work in harmony as an experienced team. Myadag, however, disregards their methods and tries to enforce the strict procedures she learned from books, which creates small conflicts. Over time, through working together, they come to understand and respect one another.
The film vividly portrays the inner worlds of its main characters, closely linked with their daily lives and unique temperaments, resulting in memorable and relatable figures for the audience. Senior filmmakers and critics later described it as a fresh, innovative work that introduced tender emotional depth and lyrical expression into Mongolian cinema in the early 1970s.
In 1970, the film received the Special Prize at the First International Film Festival of Asian and African Countries in Tashkent, as well as the Special Prize and Trophy from Soviet Trade Unions. Director Jigjidsuren was also awarded an Honorary Diploma by the Soviet Peace Committee.

Jigjidsuren Gombojav: