IN REINDEER SHAPE ACROSS THE SKY depicts several "Nenəj nenəče" (Nenets people) whose poems and songs flow from their experience of everyday life on a Soviet reindeer farm. For Markku Lehmuskallio, the film represented the beginning of a new phase in his life, both personally and creatively. While shooting, he met Anastasia Lapsui, whose mother Maria plays a central role in the film. The director lets things play out according to their own rhythm – working with animals and singing both last as long as they need to. In the process, a culture holding its own against the current of history is rendered both audible and visible.
IN REINDEER SHAPE ACROSS THE SKY depicts several "Nenəj nenəče" (Nenets people) whose poems and songs flow from their experience of everyday life on a Soviet reindeer farm. For Markku Lehmuskallio, the film represented the beginning of a new phase in his life, both personally and creatively. While shooting, he met Anastasia Lapsui, whose mother Maria plays a central role in the film. The director lets things play out according to their own rhythm – working with animals and singing both last as long as they need to. In the process, a culture holding its own against the current of history is rendered both audible and visible.
