“Taiga” (1992) is an eight-hour ethnographic documentary directed and photographed by German filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger. One of the longest films ever made, it offers an in-depth exploration of the life and rituals of nomadic peoples in Northern Mongolia, specifically the Darkhad nomads and the Soyon Uriankhai. (Wikipedia)
Structured into 38 segments:
- The Oul Pass with holy Obo relic - Guards of the Darkhad Valley
- The valley of the Darkhad Nomads
- Nomads along the Altrag River
- The shamaness Baldshir lives alone in the Höjen Valley
- With the Yura - the wedding
- With the Yura - the white food
- The Jura's neighbors - The singer and smith Dawadschi
- Sacred tree
- Suren Hor narrates the fairty tale of the naked boy in the hole in the ground
- The hunter and boot maker Ölziibajar
- The Öwtschuunii-Naadam-Festival of the sheep breast bone
- Wrestlers and Singers of Praise
- The nomads prepare to move to their winter camp
- On the way to Tsagaan Nor (white sea)
- The hunter Tscholoo
- Tsagaan Nor City
- Hero of work
- Tree cutter Sanji
- Örgöl reliquary
- How the old bears hunted
- On the Shishgid on the way to the reindeer nomads of the taiga
- Large Tsaatan meeting on the Tingis
- A Christian delegation has arrived
- Departure for the autumn camp, 5-days-trip away
- Trip to the southern taiga
- The shamaness Bajar and her family
- Back with the Jura - preparations for the winter camp
- The Jura's move to winter camp in Ulaan Uul
- The Jura's neighbors in Ulaan Uul
- Flour and tea seals have arrived at the store
- The dignitaries of Ulaan Uul host a farewell party
- Nomads on the Oul Pass
- First school day in Hadhal
- From Hadhal to Hanch, two forgotten trading centers
- Chöwsgöl Nor - Lake of Clear Water
- Ulaanbaatar - marriage palace
- Amusement park - epic singers
Ottinger’s patient and immersive approach allows viewers to experience the nomads’ world without the intrusion of a conventional narrative or commentary. The film’s length and structure reflect the unhurried pace of nomadic life, inviting audiences to engage deeply with the subjects and their environment. (Roger Ebert)
Critics have praised “Taiga” for its comprehensive and respectful portrayal of Mongolian nomadic culture. Roger Ebert described it as “an experience that causes us to think about why we live as we do, what it is to be human, and what is important in life.” (Roger Ebert)
For those interested in viewing “Taiga,” it is available on platforms like MUBI. (Mubi)
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Uploaded here purely for educational purposes since this cannot be found/bought easily anywhere.