Marco Polo Mongolian Moodboard

Released a week ago, Netflix’s Marco Polo saga has brought out the Mongolian vibe that has been lingering in my background for a while. I’m always in for good historical intrigue TV drama, so how could I pass on this one produced by the Hollywood’s super-honchos the Weinstein Bros? Luckily, I didn’t read any reviews before starting my immersion in the richly produced 13th century series. Apparently the reviewers didn’t like it much and it was blasted for Asian stereotypes, especially women. Oh com’ON! all this historical dramas have their healthy dose of sex and stereotypes. Considering that the story is based on the book wrote by a Venetian 13th century male explorer facing these cultures for the first time, there’s not much escaping it. However, critics schmittics, from what I saw on twitter lots of viewers love it and they also love the fact that with Netflix they can see 3, 5 episodes at the time, even the whole series whenever they want for as long as they want. I agree, in my own experience Marco Polo is a thoroughly enjoyable and well told story. Well Lorenzo Richelmy is neither Jonathan Rhys Meyers nor Jeremy Irons, not easy to stand up to 2 such strong males leads, but he’s credible enough. As in all the historical dramas, sets, costumes and action scenes (yes nude kung-fu is a new top for a tv series) are spectacularly designed. If you liked the families of the Tudors and the Borgias, you are definitely going to enjoy the ride following Marco at court of the Toluids dynasty.

Actually, the Mongols and I go a long way back. I was about 10 when I first wondered about this huge, yet little known and scarcely populated country. Inhabited by nomadic people who between the 12 to 14th century put together the largest human empire to record, and yet they’ve managed to maintain centuries old life style. Until now their ways have been protected by natural barriers, however, economic reasons – oil deposits what else..- are knocking down the invisible walls of nature and Mongols are coming to the forefront again. This is the case, for example, of Kazakistan a country that boasts a sweet $2BN annual surplus. Things are bound to change quickly also in the Asian steppes, so before all the riders become settlers here is my Marco Polo Mongolian moodboard.  Here we go: to endless prairies, archery, falconry and nomadic life!