Kniga Tundry (2011)

	Also Known As: Povest' o Vukvukaye - malen'kom kamne, The Tundra Book: A Tale of Vukvukai, the Little Rock
	Year of first release: 2011
	Director: Aleksei Vakhrushev
	Actors: -
	Country: RUS
	Genre: Drama, Documentary
	Conditions of visioning: 19.02.2017, Cubix8, Berlinale2017, Chukchi/Russian version with English subtitles
Synopsis: Vukvukai is a respected elder in his Chukchi community of reindeer herders. He is always ready to speak his mind and make keen observations in his straightforward extroverted tone, or to share stories with his extended family. With his playful energy, the 72-year-old maintains a buoyant atmosphere in the group. He endeavors to keep their pseudo-nomadic traditions alive by passing on his knowledge to the children. Russian politics allow school for Chukchi only by being several months per year in a village far away from the cultural cradle. In twelve chapters, the camp life over one year.
Review: The movie is supposed to be indigeneous but is extremely Russian. This is very different from the movies by Anastasia Lapsui seen on the Berlinale2017. The story is very patriarchal and Vukvukai seems to make a show to be seen as central, but he seems to be one member of the village as any other. But he likes to talk when the camera shows up. But without clear exagerration and jokes. The language is very often Russian, while I would have expected only Chukchi except when Russians appear. This gives to the movie a doubtful authenticity that is not a good feeling for a documentary. The reality of life is not as harsh as for the Nenets. This is due to the proximity of the Russian civilisation. The school seems to be organised by Russian authority and forcing the Chukchi children to be separated from their land and their families for several months per year. There seem to be only two camps, one for summer and one for winter. The reindeer breeding is really part of the villagers life with images that remind the North-American cowboys in which everyone does some work with the animals. The concept of Kniga tundry allows to have a very good view on the daily life of the families, but the lack of authenticity disturbs me a lot.
Rating: 4 /10