Dr. Steeve Coupeau Goes One‐on‐One with Robert H. Lieberman, Director of “Echoes of The Empire: Beyond Genghis Khan”
NYIHA MEDIA: What is the significance of the film’s title?
Director Lieberman: After much brainstorming and debate in the studio we finally settled on “Echoes of The Empire: Beyond Genghis Khan.” We wanted a title that reflected the film — and I think this does it, because the film is a sweeping view of Mongolia, reflecting both its past and how that impacts modern Mongolians today.
NYIHA MEDIA: Your documentary features a large number of interviewees from high‐profile personalities, to members of parliament to artists. Can you talk about the selection of your interviewees?
Director Lieberman: I think what’s interesting about the film is that, at first glance, is it is not character driven. But actually, it really is. The main character is Mongolia itself, the country and its people.
I like to describe this film a “novelist’s eye view“ of Mongolia. Of course, I am a novelist and storyteller. So, what you the viewer are witnessing is what I discovered about this unique land.
NYIHA MEDIA: Your documentary features a large number of interviewees from high-profile personalities, to members of parliament to artists. Can you talk about the selection of your interviewees?
Director Lieberman: Jack Weatherford, the New York Times best-selling author of “Genghis Khan and The Making of The Modern World” is the narrator of the film. I lost count of the number of people I interviewed, perhaps a hundred or more, and those that made it into the film did so, because they brought unique insights into the mentality of the Mongolian people.
The way I work relies on sheer serendipity. I meet someone, film them, and they end up suggesting that I speak to so-and-so, who then suggests someone else. And on and on it goes, the chain getting ever longer.
NYIHA MEDIA: Can you briefly talk about some of the key accomplishments of the rule of Genghis Khan?
Director Lieberman:As Jack Weatherford explains, Genghis Khan was a brutal conqueror, building the largest empire the world has ever seen. But he did build an aspirational foundation that remains to this very day. He provided the rule of law, allowed religious freedom, forbid the kidnapping of women, and provided protection for diplomats‐ who before had been regularly murdered.
Director Lieberman:Now an interesting aspect of the country is that it is the land of “eternal blue skies” and constant wind. So, this is a land just perfect for solar and wind power, which could replace the burning of coal. And that is the real promise and hope.
NYIHA MEDIA: One of the environmental issues raised in the film is the negative effects of pollution. Has there been any environmental gains made recently in Mongolia?
Director Lieberman: Environmentally Mongolia faces enormous and, I would say, existentially challenges. And this is not just with the pollution that comes in the winter with the burning of brown coal making Ulaan Baator one of the most polluted cities in the world. Climate change is impacting the herders. In addition, the nomad herder have herds of livestock that are much too large and they would do better with fewer animals that would be more robust and healthier. And the goats raised for their cashmere wool are particularly destructive. (I always urge people to buy other Mongolian wools such as from sheep or yaks or camels.)
Now an interesting aspect of the country is that it is the land of “eternal blue skies” and constant wind. So, this is a land just perfect for solar and wind power, which could replace the burning of coal. And that’s the real promise and hope.
