24th New York Asian Film Festival

July 11-27, 2025

FilmsGuestsTalks & EventsSchedule & Tickets

Photo:

North American Premiere

Travesty

A crazed shooter holds the barebones staff of a remote, dusty hospital hostage, threatening executions unless a hefty ransom is paid. Summoned to negotiate and defuse the tense standoff, a seasoned big-city detective faces mounting pressure as the body count rises. Amid widespread incompetence, the detective unravels a twisted web of wrongdoing that might hold the key to ending the siege. Renowned cinematographer Baatar Batsukh directs this taut thriller brimming with existential dread. Kinetic camerawork, arresting framing, precise pacing, and an ominous soundtrack expertly orchestrate tension, delivering a surprisingly cerebral and sardonic action drama that explores the deeper implications of violence and desperation.

Director: Baatar Batsukh
Producers: Trevor Doyle, Alexa Khan
Cast: Ariunbyamba Sukhee, Ariunbold Ganbold, Garid Buntar, Ganbaatar Chagnaador, Bazarragchaa Byambajav
Languages: Mongolian with English subtitles
2024; 75 min.
Country: Mongolia

SCHEDULE:

Saturday July 26, 4:00pm
SVA Theatre

2025 NYAFF Uncaged Award Nominee. Intro and Q&A with director Baatar Batsukh and producer Trevor Doyle

Baatar Batsukh

Baatar Batsukh is a Mongolian cinematographer celebrated for his bold, innovative use of color and composition. Over the past decade, he has lensed 21 films, each marked by his signature visual style, which has become a hallmark of modern Mongolian cinema. His work on _The Steed _played a key role in the film being selected as Mongolia's official Oscar entry in 2019, and earned him recognition from the American Society of Cinematographers. His directorial debut, Aberrance (2022), premiered at the Oldenburg International Film Festival, where it won the Audacity in Cinema Award. It made its North American premiere at SXSW, leading to international distribution. His most recent film, Travesty, premiered at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival.