Film Lens
Taiga is an eight-hour ethnographic film directed and photographed by Ulrike Ottinger, focusing on the life and rituals of nomadic peoples in Northern Mongolia, particularly the Darkhad nomads and the Soyon Uriankhai. The film is divided into 38 parts, each capturing different aspects of their culture, such as the wedding traditions in 'Bei Jura - Die Hochzeit' and the shamanistic practices in 'Die schamanistische Seance beginnt um Mitternacht'.
The film presents a detailed portrayal of the nomadic lifestyle, including their seasonal migrations as seen in 'Aufbruch der Nomaden ins Winterlager' and 'Juras Umzug ins Winterlager nach Ulaan Uul'. It also features local legends and stories, like 'Suren Hör erzählt das Märchen vom nackten Jungen im Erdloch', providing a comprehensive view of the social and spiritual life of these communities.
Why Watch
- •See the unique rituals of Darkhad nomads in Northern Mongolia.
- •Meet the shaman Baldshir in her isolated valley.
- •Find out about the Öwtschuunii-Naadam festival.
Did You Know
•The film consists of 38 parts, each focusing on different cultural aspects.
•It has a total duration of 501 minutes, making it one of the longest films.
•The documentary features a shamanistic séance that begins at midnight.
•The wedding segment shows traditional practices, including 'Die weißen Speisen'.
Perfect For
Ethnographic film enthusiastsCultural anthropology studentsMongolian history buffs