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  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Music Box Films
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Music Box Films
  • 1 h 30 m

Summary With Happy People: A Year in the Taiga, Werner Herzog takes viewers on yet another unforgettable journey into remote and extreme natural landscapes. The acclaimed filmmaker presents this visually stunning documentary about the people living in the heart of the Siberian Taiga. Deep in the wilderness, far away from civilization, 300 people...

Directed By: Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov

Written By: Rudolph Herzog, Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov

  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Music Box Films
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Music Box Films
  • 1 h 30 m

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews
74
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary With Happy People: A Year in the Taiga, Werner Herzog takes viewers on yet another unforgettable journey into remote and extreme natural landscapes. The acclaimed filmmaker presents this visually stunning documentary about the people living in the heart of the Siberian Taiga. Deep in the wilderness, far away from civilization, 300 people...

Directed By: Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov

Written By: Rudolph Herzog, Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews
74
75% Positive
12 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews
74
75% Positive
12 Reviews
19% Mixed
3 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Jan 26, 2013
The resulting film is both beautiful and fascinating, and offers a thrilling travelogue through a spectacular landscape few of us will ever see first-hand.
By Andrew O'Hehir FULL REVIEW
83
Jan 23, 2013
The pleasure of Happy People comes from watching these men go about their work, while they explain that the only way to make it in the taiga is to do and take exactly what's needed, and not get greedy.
By Noel Murray FULL REVIEW
80
Feb 14, 2013
Herzog has become a master of the understatement — knowing just how long the images can sustain you without a word being said. Vasyukov and his team of cameramen gave him a stunning range to work with, so the filmmaker keeps his own narration to a minimum.
By Betsy Sharkey FULL REVIEW
75
Feb 15, 2013
“Happy” isn’t meant ironically. Herzog, who narrates, clearly loves, and envies, the trappers’ elemental existence and connection to nature.
By Mark Feeney FULL REVIEW
70
Jan 30, 2013
While the original version's four hours might have made for wearisome viewing for Western audiences, Herzog's 94-minute cut feels just right, fully immersing us in this rarified world without lapsing into tedium.
By Frank Scheck FULL REVIEW
60
Jan 24, 2013
There is indeed much beauty on display, from the icy Taiga landscape to the age-old trapping techniques passed on through generations. But this does feel like a lesser Herzog project (he joined on after it was shot). For viewers who don't share his awe, a short film probably would have sufficed.
By Elizabeth Weitzman FULL REVIEW
25
Jan 21, 2013
It would be inaccurate to call Happy People: A Year in the Taiga the newest Werner Herzog film.
FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
76% Positive
13 Ratings
12% Mixed
2 Ratings
12% Negative
2 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings
7.1
76% Positive
13 Ratings
12% Mixed
2 Ratings
12% Negative
2 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Studio Babelsberg
Release Date Jan 25, 2013
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
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Awards

Tokyo International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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