Nuuccha

A poor Yakut couple have just buried their newborn child and they are now preparing for the harsh winter ahead. When the local governor, installed by the tsarist authorities, instructs them to take in a Russian political prisoner, they have no choice but to comply. The foreigner’s presence, however, encroaches upon their lives more than they had anticipated… Set in the late 19th century, Nuuccha (Yakut for “Russian”) was inspired by the writings of Polish author Wacław Sieroszewski, who became acquainted with Yakut culture and traditions during his years in Siberian exile. This evocative drama by debuting director Vladimir Munkuev is a striking example of lesser known Yakut cinema, while it also contributes significantly to the debate on the impact of colonisation and forced assimilation within tsarist Russia. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)