danish photographer ken hermann and british art director gem fletcher’s project ‘bökh’ is a short film and photo series which explores the culture of wrestling in mongolia. capturing the vibrant costumes and vast open landscape, the film presents a distanced perspective of the traditional sport. ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

 

 

when a boy is born in inner mongolia, his family pray for him to become a wrestler. this ancient tradition is the cornerstone of mongolian culture dating back centuries to genghis khan’s reign when he used it to keep his soldiers battle-ready. khan famously compared wrestling to war, explaining that in both you face enemies who are stronger and more powerful than you, and you must attack. it’s a sentiment these young wrestlers keep very much in mind. 

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

 

 

this unique form of wrestling governs status for young men within the community, as it is used as a marker of manliness. the bouts take place in the remote and desolate grasslands, empty to the horizon except for a few scattered yurts and flocks of sheep. ken hermann and gem fletcher’ used this landscape for the backdrop of their project, which allowed the colourful costumes and dramatic dance-like movements to take centre stage. these cinematic visuals as a result allow the audience to marvel and observe the lifts, throws and flips as they unfold within the film.

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia

ken hermann and gem fletcher's film bökh captures the wrestlers of mongolia