MovieChat Forums > Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2012) Discussion > This is Werner's (with Dmitry Vasyukov) ...

This is Werner's (with Dmitry Vasyukov) best documentary so far!

posted 12 years ago by FoxMulderr
16 replies | jump to latest

Apart from the unbelievable beauty of this remote Siberian landscape, the enviable community that these beautiful people have, the free lifestyle, even during harsh winter, in coexistence with both simply magnificant nature as well as being adapted to this minus 50 degrees C. during late autumn till early spring that these people have, this is a pure joy to watch. Beautiful shots of nature, interesting people with amazing survivalskills and their humane usage of animal and plantlife. Not for personal enrichment, but for mere survival and some income. Also these beautiful dogs, which are so very important to these people and the love between them is very very endearing.
They seem to have still, this absolute connection with nature in total and remarkable happiness -with a few exceptions-, which modern society seems to have lost with all it's mindless consumption, meaningless entertainment and detachment from nature.
This feeling made me question again my own "facade" for over 20 years now, a process slowly reaching a conclusion that for a long time now, something is missing.
These beautiful and honest people in the Taiga have a better and richer life than most of us, certainly me. Not in terms of material wealth, but in absolute joy of living their lives.
All the money in the world cannot buy you this. This feeling of connection is priceless.
I am gratefull to have witnessed this portrayal by Werner Herzog and Dmitry Vasyukov and will see it again and again.
Excuse me for being so "preachy"....but this docu showed me another view, similar with the one that I experienced watching Dick Proenneke's "Alone in the Wilderness"....living for 35 years or so in remote Alaska.
I need to point out that I mean no disrespect to whoever is enjoying their current live, I'm simply not cut out for it...
Watch this, you absolutely will not be disappointed!

[–] don-lope-de-aguirre 12 years ago

Where/how did you see this?

I want a Blu-Ray!!!

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] questforfire 11 years ago

I thought the scene where the man and the dog hunted what looked like a ferret? out of a log was a beautiful scene.... I was in aw of that for some reason.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

intense!

You stay classy, San Diego.

[–] kduffy-8 11 years ago

I have heard many people speaking of how much they loved this documentary and now I'm on fire to see it. Watched Werner's other films and really enjoyed them, so I'm off to find this post haste.

[–] otterprods 11 years ago

Visually, it looks great, like most other Herzog films. I also do find the subject matter intriguing... especially given the notoriously harsh environment that these "Happy People" live in, and how.

I do have to take a minor exception to the notion of a utopian community emerging out of pure adversity. Of course, hard work and perseverance are important factors leading to true happiness, but everyone still just part of the imperfect human society facing the same basic problems as the rest of the world.

One of the good and bad things about motion pictures is that through the use of imagery, sounds, narration, music...etc, you can make people believe basically whatever you want. Like for example, that the west coast of the US will be underwater in a few decades or that total self-actualization is really possible if you're willing to hack it out someplace cold and dark enough for long enough.

But, that won't likely keep me from seeing it!

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.

[–] NewOriginals 11 years ago

I really loved the fact that Herzog found a utopia in what most people would consider hell on earth.

[–] A-Bnegative 11 years ago

a utopia in what most people would consider hell on earth.

Very nicely put!

[–] anne-536 11 years ago

Absolutely, spot on.
Having been raised (I'm 63) in the forests of NE Minnesota, near the border, I could see a lot of these 'happy people' similar (but rougher) to the lives of my grandparents and great-grandparents, and how they lived from 1890s to post WWII; their skills and craftsmanship. Wow! And so beautifully shot.

[–] A-Bnegative 11 years ago

I read the other day that the depression generation (those who were children during the Great Depression, that is) in general were mentally healthier and happier than their children and grandchildren. These people had to work hard for their families and, consequently, developed a sense that their lives held purpose. They found happiness in their achievements. Today, we think that happiness is found in material possessions, and so we struggle with finding true happiness.

This idea resonated with me a few times while watching the documentary.

[–] Manicheus 11 years ago

Just saw this film —everything you wrote rings so true! I also think this might be one of the best Herzog docs, and just when I thought he had committed a creative suicide by moving to California.