Voices from the Tundra - The Last of the Yukagirs
In the north east of Siberia live the Tundra Yukagirs, a nomadic people of reindeer herders. Only 63 of them still speak the Yukagir language. The Amsterdam linguist Cecilia Odé travels to the Yukagirs in order to capture their language and preserve it for posterity.
The heart-warming friendship which developed between Cecilia and the Yukagirs allows the filmmakers to enter the Yukagir community in an unforced manner and makes it possible to speak frankly with them about their disappearing language, their traditions and their efforts to keep their culture alive.
The documentary shows the for westerners totally unknown way of life of the Yukagirs in the extreme Siberian cold; touching moments like the dedicated singing old-timers and the children in school learning the language with very limited materials; the romantics of reindeer herds and nomads tents on the ice. Furthermore - Cecilia speaks openly about her lethal disease - this might be her last journey - which gives the film an impressive extra layer.
Director
- Website
- www.edwintrommelen.nl/et/
- IMDb profile
- IMDb profile
Edwin Trommelen
