2026 | Documentary | 47 min. | Russia
The nomadic reindeer herding culture of the Even people in the remote and hard-to-reach regions of Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory is rapidly disappearing. The few remaining practitioners are on the brink of extinction. Two young filmmakers embark on a veterinary mission aboard a helicopter, hitching a ride to document this vanishing way of life before it disappears entirely. Upon arriving at a remote reindeer camp, they are confronted with a bitter reality: traditional reindeer herding has almost disappeared, and the few remaining families are struggling to survive in extremely harsh conditions. Yet alongside this hardship, the filmmakers discover extraordinary human strength. Despite their deprivation, the Even people preserve their dignity, hospitality and unwavering commitment to their way of life. The filmmakers find their kindness and resilience to be a profound personal revelation. The expedition reaches its climax with a journey to the most remote camp, home to an elderly woman and her granddaughter. Together, they embody the essence of cultural continuity: the grandmother is not just a keeper of traditions, she actively passes them on to her granddaughter, who offers hope for the future of the Even people. The film not only captures a vanishing way of life, but also a living bond between generations — a connection that could be strong enough to prevent an entire culture from disappearing.
Director: Viktor Reshetnikov
Producer: Viktor Reshetnikov
