A film by John Sheppard,
Anthropologist: Caroline Humphrey,
Country: Russia,
Duration: 50min,
Language: Russian,
Subtitles: English,
Year: 1989
A Disappearing World film crew was permitted to film the nomadic yak-herders of Mongun-Taiga, or `sacred wilderness’, a rugged district on the border with Mongolia. The film looks at the methods the herders use to protect their children from destructive spirits. The opportunities for modern Soviet life which attract many young people are countered by the pull of an independent Mongolia, which is much closer to the Tuvinians in culture and way of life. Part of what makes this film interesting is the film-makers’ admission of the material they were not able to obtain.