Mongolian Ping Pong

Bilike has never seen a ping-pong ball before. He and his family live without electricity and running water in a solitary tent home among the vast steppe grasslands. The magnificent landscape here has changed little since the days of Genghis Kahn. But life in the middle of nowhere can be exciting for a young boy. The smallest of details become big events for curious Bilike and his best friends Erguotou and Dawa. The mystery of the small white ball floating in the creek leads to questions about the world around them, as well as innocent mischief. Bilike's grandmother says the ball is a glowing pearl from heaven. But the boys are sceptical after waiting all night outdoors for the ball to light up. Since nobody has an idea about the odd white object, they trek to the faraway monastery to consult the wise lamas. But even the grasslands' most knowledgeable inhabitants are stumped. While watching the new TV-set Dawa's father has won, the boys learn about pingpong. They are excited to hear that their object is the 'national ball of China'. Not realizing how far Beijing actually is, the determined young boys set off to return the ball to the Chinese capital...

Grosses

Domestic (59.5%)
$71,223
Summary Details
DistributorFirst Run
See full company information
Opening$3,252
2 theaters
Running Time1 hr 42 min
GenresComedy Drama
In Release620 days/88 weeks
Widest Release5 theaters
DateRankWeekly %± LW TheatersChange AvgTo DateWeek
Jul 21-2769$16,556-2-$8,278$34,90414
Jul 28-Aug 377$11,063-33.2%2-$5,531$45,96715
Aug 4-1098$4,380-60.4%1-1$4,380$50,34716
Jun 23-29101$5,187+196.1%2-$2,593$15,58310
Aug 18-24105$4,650-25.3%2-2$2,325$61,22418
Apr 21-27102$4,424-2-$2,212$4,4241
Sep 8-14102$3,652+232%2-$1,826$67,12921
May 5-11115$1,754+218.9%1-$1,754$6,7283
Aug 11-1794$6,227+42.2%4+3$1,556$56,57317
May 26-Jun 1114$1,399-1-$1,399$8,1276
Jul 7-13110$1,340-6%1-1$1,340$18,34812
Aug 25-31121$1,153-75.2%1-1$1,153$62,37719
Jun 16-22113$1,752+24,928.6%2-$876$10,3969
Jun 30-Jul 6111$1,425-72.5%2-$712$17,00811
Sep 1-7121$1,100-4.6%2+1$550$63,47720
Apr 28-May 4136$550-87.6%1-1$550$4,9742
Jun 2-8117$510-63.5%1-$510$8,6377
Nov 3-9131$493-1-$493$70,70529
Sep 15-21131$847-76.8%2-$423$67,97622
Feb 2-8116$284-1-$284$71,22342
Dec 8-14124$235-1-$235$70,94034
Jun 9-15126$7-98.6%---$8,6448