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Deep Dive: Piblokto (2023)

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Film Lens

Piblokto
Piblokto focuses on the lives of people living on the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Chukotka, who are isolated from the outside world. Their existence is centered around hunting walruses and whales while also protecting their villages from bears that come from the tundra. The film presents a stark reflection on the themes of death and survival, illustrating how the local population interacts with the marine animals they hunt and the bears that threaten their communities. The narrative structure of the film departs from traditional cinematic forms, resembling a shamanic ritual that is significant for the northern peoples. This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and death, as the film depicts how animal leftovers feed arctic foxes on fur farms and how human cemeteries become sources of food for bears. The cyclical nature of food and death is a central theme that permeates the lives of the inhabitants of Chukotka.

Why Watch

  • •See how Chukotka's people hunt walruses and whales.
  • •Find out how bears impact village life in Chukotka.
  • •Meet the arctic foxes that feed on animal leftovers.

Did You Know

•The film is set in Chukotka, a region on the Arctic Ocean.
•Piblokto has a runtime of 38 minutes.
•The local people hunt walruses and whales for food.
•Bears from the tundra threaten the villages in Chukotka.

Perfect For

Arctic wildlifeIndigenous culturesMarine hunting practices