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Please support this new 'Happy People' film on Siberia's superb Altai Mountains

By 0 and 0 and 0
27 June 2014

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'Altai is more than just a spot that provides food and shelter. It's the source of life, liberty and happiness.' Picture: Dmitry Vasiukov

You can glimpse here his powerful images from his last trip around Siberia: he walked the taiga with hunters, covering hundreds of kilometres on a snowmobile,  enduring cold, heat, blizzards and rains.

His unique and beautiful material produced four very deep and keen stories. 'Happy People: Yenisei' is divided by seasons and each season has its own story. 

The aim is to show how happy and full these Siberian people's life is 'outside civilization': life without Instagram, smartphones, politics and many other things, that 'people of the big city' find very important for some reason. 

Now Dmitry is raising funds to work on a similar story but about the people of Altai. The breathtaking Altai Mountains are also considered to be an energy spot. Different people come here to find 'happiness'. Musicians, hippies and intellectuals as well as farmers, fisherman and hunters - everyone finds their own, special happiness. 

Man on the boat on Yenisey


Hunters dog in the snow


Two men with boats on the river

Life without Instagram, smartphones, politics and many other things, that 'people of the big city' find very important for some reason. Pictures: stills from 'Happy People: Yenisei', Dmitry Vasiukov

Vasiukov let's us into a secret: 'For it's own residents, Altai is more than just a spot that provides food and shelter. It's the source of life, liberty and happiness. If Altai accepts you, it will be impossible to leave. Just forget about leaving! It's unthinkable.'

On his new project, he says: 'The film is about Altai and will consist of two parts. The first is about Russians, whose ancestors came to Altai over three centuries ago, the second is about the indigenous population of this region, Altaians.'

'If you've seen my previous work, of course, you know that this movie is a non-profit one. Such projects are not interesting to the private investors as they don't bring any money. If government will be an investor, then with the money I'll get an order, which I would be forced to stick to. But I would rather make the films as I see it myself. And, apparently, such vision of mine is supported by the viewers.' 

'That's why, I offer you the chance to raise the money together for a film about the happy people of Altai. The planned budget is 8,000,000 roubles ($240,000). As soon as we raise half of the amount needed I'll start shooting the first series. If more money is gathered I will continue to shoot the second part. The shoot will take at least a year.'

Old musician with sitar


Shepherd with sheep in mountains


Man riding horse

Musicians, hippies and intellectuals as well as farmers, fisherman and hunters - everyone finds their own, special happiness. Pictures: Dmitry Vasiukov

'Of course, I'll be glad if you help to gather for a full two-part version. And most important, those who will help in the financing of the movie with more than 3,000 roubles ($90) will be able to see the film as soon as it is completed. And you wouldn't  need to wait until TV decides to show it.'

We encourage you to help the project on the crowdfunding platform Planeta.ru 

Visit the website http://planeta.ru/campaigns/4128/about - and help the people of Altai be seen.

Comments (4)

живу в сибири,красиво у нас.
сибирь, Россия . Хакассия
26/03/2015 10:53
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0
Dmitry Vasiukov is an artist.. pics above are like exquisite paintings.
Marlene, South Africa
04/03/2015 03:12
1
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I would like to get a copy of Happy people, the original 4 part series, not the dvd, I have seen parts of the spring episode and thought it was wonderful. Is it possible to get the whole original film?
simon harwood, winchester, England
09/02/2015 00:37
4
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I loved the english version of Happy People.
You may want to mention that Werner Herzog Narrated it.

Hf
Homefire, US
12/09/2014 06:58
10
1
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