Directed by Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig, in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, Maikhuu is one of the country’s only female truck drivers, hauling coal across treacherous roads to provide for her family. With few other choices available to her, she navigates the punishing landscape of Mongolia’s mining boom, where an endless line of trucks race each other to the Chinese border. It is gruelling, dangerous work in a country increasingly shaped by the human and environmental costs of what has come to be known as ‘Minegolia’.
Going into Colors of White Rock there’s likely an expectation for it to be something heavy, forlorn or gloomy, but that’s not what Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig creates. There is plenty of space to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation and how harsh of an existence it can be, but the tone and atmosphere remain more in line with Maikhuu. The directorial choices keenly balance the charm of Maikhuu and the harshness of the landscape.
Particularly in how Choijoovanchig employs those wide sweeping shots of the desert. They’re visually fantastic but they also boost the atmosphere, helping Colors of White Rock to build a strong, compelling presence. As well as blending that lingering edge of danger into the film, with the risk of a devastating crash or even just the risks to her own personal safety.
As Colors of White Rock moves forward, and into Maikhuu’s home life, becoming even more intimate, it does slightly lose its edge. It doesn’t move as confidently in those scenes, without more striking visuals to help cement its presence. However, it does add to the documentary’s already high level of sadness and struggle, continuing to explore the many layers to the complicated, challenging life that Maikhuu lives.
In many senses but particularly in trying to care for her children while spending so much time away from home, but also in how difficult it is for her to go from having constant responsibilities and challenges on the road to the quiet home life. It certainly opens up an interesting conversation about how women with demanding jobs are perceived, and acknowledges that Maikhuu faces a lot of prejudice and crude judgement.
Colors of White Rock maybe doesn’t move as well in its second half as it does initially, but Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig chose an excellent subject in Maikhuu. She’s strong, determined and has an enviable toughness, and she’s also charming, adding a lot of personality to the film. It’s shot well, it has a great balance of the bigger picture and the personal side of things, and it’s a compelling story.
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