Silent City Driver

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Silent City Driver
Theatrical release poster
MongolianЧимээгүй хотын жолооч
Directed byJanchivdorj Sengedorj
Written by
  • Janchivdorj Sengedorj
  • Nomuunzul Turmunkh
Produced by
  • Ganbaatar Narantsetseg
  • Naranbat Bayasgalan,
  • Bold Ganbat
Starring
  • Tuvshinbayar Amartuvshin
  • Narantsetseg Ganbaatar
CinematographyEnkhbayar Enkhtur
Edited byMunkhbat Shirnen
Music bySerge Gainsbourg (song Comme un boomerang)
Production
companies
  • Dominion Tech
  • Nomadia Pictures
  • Ddish
  • MFIA
Release date
  • 21 November 2024 (2024-11-21) (PÖFF)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryMongolia
LanguageMongolian

Silent City Driver (Mongolian: Чимээгүй хотын жолооч) is 2024 Mongolian drama film written and directed by Janchivdorj Sengedorj. The film follows a 32-year-old Myagmar, who after serving 14 years in prison for his involvement in a murder case, emerges to face societal rejection and health challenges from a prison beating, finding solace only in caring for stray dogs.

The solemn song "Comme un boomerang (Chanson) [fr]", "Like a boomerang", written and composed by Serge Gainsbourg, released in 1975 plays repeatedly in the film, reflecting Myagmar’s emotional pain through its lyric, "I feel booms and bangs shake my wounded heart." This haunting refrain underscores the deep impact the story has on all its characters.[1][2]

It competed in and had its premiere on November 21, 2024, at the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where it won Grand Prix for Best Film.[3][4] It was selected as the Mongolian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.[5][6]

Premise

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Silent City Driver follows Myagmar, a 32-year-old man recently released from prison after serving 14 years for manslaughter. Struggling with poor health and the trauma of his past, he finds comfort in caring for stray dogs. He begins working as a hearse driver and forms deep connections with two individuals: a young Buddhist monk and Saruul, the daughter of a blind coffin-maker. Their lives become quietly intertwined in the shadow of death and healing.

Cast

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  • Tuvshinbayar Amartuvshin as Myagmar
  • Narantsetseg Ganbaatar as Saruul
  • Bat-Erdene Munkhbat

Release

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Silent City Driver had its premiere in the 'Official Selection - Competition' at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on 21 November 2024, where it won Grand Prix.[7] On 16 December 2024, it was presented in the World Cinema section of International Film Festival of Kerala.[8]

On 17 March 2025, it had its Japanese Premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival.[9]

It was also selected at 27th edition of Far East Film Festival and was screened on 29 April 2025, where it won the Purple Mulberry Award.[10][11]

In June 2025, it competed in International Competition at the Bishkek International Film Festival[12] and won Best Director and Best Performance awards.[13]

On 26 October it was screened at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in the Wide Angle section.[14]

Reception

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Marina D. Richter reviewing for Asian Movie Pulse at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, praised Silent City Driver as "a movie that stays with the audience for a very long time," describing it as a standout discovery at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. She noted that its selection as the top winner by the Official Selection Jury was well deserved, and expressed confidence in its global appeal, suggesting it could "conquer the hearts of the spectators across the globe." Richter also commended the film's pacing, calling it "one of the rare examples of recent movies whose length doesn’t impose any challenge," with every minute "completely justified."[1]

Accolades

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Award Ceremony date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 24 November 2024 Grand Prix Best Film Silent City Driver Won [15]
Best Production Design Munkhbat Shirnen Won
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 27 November 2025 Best Director Sengedorj Janchivdorj Pending [16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b D. Richter, Marina (1 December 2024). "Film Review: Silent City Driver (2024) by Sengedorj Janchivdorj". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  2. ^ Hristova, Mariana (26 November 2024). "Review: Silent City Driver". Cineuropa. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  3. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (25 November 2024). "Sengedorj Janchivdorj's Silent City Driver wins the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  4. ^ Wendy Ide (25 November 2024). "'Silent City Driver': Tallinn Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  5. ^ A. Tseesuren (1 October 2025). ""Чимээгүй хотын жолооч" кино Оскарт Монгол Улсаа төлөөлнө" ["Silent City Driver" to represent Mongolia at the Oscars]. news.mg (in Mongolian). Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  6. ^ Ellie Calnan, Ben Dalton, Mona Tabbara, Orlando Parfitt, Michael Rosser and Tim Dams (1 October 2025). "Oscars best international feature 2026: all the films submitted so far". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 1 October 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Silent City Driver". Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  8. ^ "International Film Festival of Kerala: Silent City Driver". International Film Festival of Kerala. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Silent City Driver". Osaka Asian Film Festival. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Silent City Driver". Far East Film Festival. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  11. ^ "FEFF27: All the Awards of the Festival". Far East Film Festival. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  12. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (10 June 2025). "Bishkek International Film Festival to showcase Central Asian, French and German cinema". Cineuropa. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  13. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (16 June 2025). "The Maw Naing's MA – Cry of Silence wins the Grand Prix at the Bishkek International Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Silent City Driver". Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  15. ^ Roxborough, Scott (23 November 2024). "Mongolian Drama 'Silent City Driver' Wins Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  16. ^ Naman Ramachandran (14 October 2025). "'Samsara,' 'It Was Just an Accident,' 'Magellan' Lead Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
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