ABSTRACT
A film goes through a number of stages from the devising of the initial idea through to its being viewed by the audience. In the case of Mongolian filmmaking of the Socialist era, the initial idea was devised by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), who wished to present to its people a strong image of socialist progress in which the proletariat and post-1921 heroes were exalted. Every aspect of the filmmaking process from conception to production through to composing the music and dissemination was controlled as part of a strategic and comprehensive governmental plan. Professional music was used to enhance scenes of socialist progress in numerous propaganda films, and the familiar characteristics of traditional Mongolian music within this genre helped make it and therefore the scenes relatable, at least potentially, to the entire population. Conversely, in The Obstacles We Confront, Mrdorj used professional music ironically to highlight one of the negative aspects of the new regime: increased bureaucracy.
