Simple life in -71°C (-95°F) Yakutia
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 4:15 pm
Photographer Documents the Surprisingly Thriving Film Culture in the Coldest Region of Russia
My mom is next to a stuffed mammoth. From 60 to 80% of all mammoth bones in the world are found in Yakutia. In one year Yakutia produces about 100 tons of mammoth tusk.
https://mymodernmet.com/yakutia-sakha-alex-vasilyev/...Finding beauty in the simplicity of life, Vasilyev documents everything from the harsh winter snow to cozy moments indoors with friends and family. He uses clean lines and cool colors in his images, giving a sense of serenity and isolation in this remote place.
His Sakhawood series shows an unexpected side of life in Yakutia. There is a thriving filmmaking community in the region, which has earned it the nickname Sakhawood; seven to 10 feature films are made in the area per year. The teams that create these films are an eclectic bunch, with most directors working in cinema on the side and the actors plucked from local theater troupes or the streets of Yakutia.
Despite the unlikely location, the movies produced here do quite well. Most are filmed in the local language and are low budget by Russian cinema standards. Yet, some have done very well at the box office, even beating international blockbusters. Over the past 15 years, 180 feature films have been shot in Sakha. Many then go on to win prizes at local and international film festivals, with the actors becoming recognized faces across Russia. Vasilyev's documentation of Sakhawood is a beautiful way to see that artistry exists and thrives in even the most unexpected environments.