A Historical Analysis of the Genre in Mongolian Cinematic Art

Abstract

Mongolian national cinema was formally established in 1936, and by 1990, a total of 164 feature films and over 400 documentary films had been produced. This study classifies Mongolian cinema into two primary periods based on the distinct developmental stages of the industry: 1936-1990, during the socialist era, and post-1990, during the transition to a market economy. The socialist period (1936-1990) was marked by state-controlled production and ideological influence, with all films financed by the government and disseminated within a limited scope. This era also saw the systematic training of film professionals, substantial state investments in the film industry, and the foundational development of Mongolian cinema. The transition period from 1990 onwards, coinciding with the shift from a centrally planned socialist economy to a market-driven system, brought significant changes to the structure and production practices of Mongolian film. This study employs scientific, synthetic, and empirical research methods to analyze the evolution of Mongolian cinema across these two critical periods.