From prolific Mongolian director Janchivdorj Sengedorj comes an insightful coming-of-age story that takes place primarily in… an Ulaanbaatar sex shop. The Sales Girl won Best Feature at the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival.
Saruul (Bayartsetseg Bayangerel) is studying to be a nuclear physicist, a career path her parents adore, though she wishes she could attend art school. When her roommate breaks her leg, she begs Saruul to cover for her–at a basement sex shop run by the alluring, and grumpy, Katya (Enkhtuul Oidovjamts). The former dancer takes Saruul under her wing, showing the young woman that there’s more than just studying, and that sex is fun, healthy, and empowering. Featuring music from Mongolian indie rocker Dulguun Bayasgalan (performed by his band Magnolian) and directed by that country’s preeminent auteur, Janchivdorj Sengedorj, The Sales Girl will surprise viewers from start to finish. “[T]his candid big-city coming-of-age story deserves international exposure.” –Peter Debruge, Variety
Director Biography
Janchivdorj Sengedorj is widely regarded as one of Mongolia’s greatest directors, and has crafted indelible works in both theater and film. His films include One Life of Two Women (2014), Traitor (2015), Lovers (2016), In the Dawn (2017), White Blessing (2017), Life (2018), I, Sunshine (2019), and Khudaldagch ohin (2021).