This somewhat surreal spiritual and artistic exploration of the native peoples of the Arctic circle begins in Tlingit and Yupik lands in and around Alaska, traveling westward through Russia and Europe before ending in Greenland and Canada. Father and son filmmakers Johannes and Markku Lehmuskallio display outstanding camera and editing skills as they flawlessly blend new footage and archival footage with animation and art from the varied indigenous peoples studied in this unusual yet breathtaking ethnography.
We’re shown traditional ways of living, the daily life of modern members of the varied communities, interviews with artists and knowledge keepers, and outstanding displays of song and dance which tie the film together. Anerca’s focus is on those things which can and have been documented by the film. This lends it to a deeper analysis of modern indigenous culture and their varied connections to the land and their culture based upon economic conditions foisted upon them by their Russian neighbors or white men from across the sea.
What reviews of this film exist in English often cite a ‘lack of information' in this documentary: They misspeak. Names, dates, and place names matter little to the information displayed by this documentary. The living culture is the focus, and such matters are much harder to write down and categorize neatly. Dance, song, art, crafts, and subsistence skills are given near equal value and screen time. Those expecting some sort of spoon-fed informational experience will be disappointed. Patrons looking for a simple historical documentary should be directed elsewhere.
Watching these people hold onto their cultures and values though some have lost their mother tongue is a testament to the sheer value of their connection to their culture, land, and traditional ways. Patrons looking to examine the living cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic circle or interested in a museum-quality experience in their own homes will find the most value in this outstanding documentary. Anerca, Breath of Life is highly recommended.
What academic library shelves would this title belong on?
Anerca, Breath of Life belongs on ethnography shelves.
What type of classroom would this documentary resource be suitable for?
This documentary is college-level and would be best suited to academic shelves, though public libraries should consider it in developing culture shelves. Professors should consider this title for lessons on indigenous cultures.