Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

Name: Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
Genre: Documentary
Released: January 25, 2013
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Werner Herzog

2013

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Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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Happy People: A Year In The Taiga

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Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: January 25, 2013 | Not Rated

Starring: Werner Herzog

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 peopleWith 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 inhabit the small village of Bakhtia at the river Yenisei. There are only two ways to reach this outpost: by helicopter or boat. There‘s no telephone, running water or medical aid, The locals, whose daily routines have barely changed over the last centuries, live according to their own values and cultural traditions. With insightful commentary written and narrated by Herzog, Happy People: A Year in the Taiga follows one of the Siberian trappers through all four seasons of the year to tell the story of a culture virtually untouched by modernity. [Music Box Films]… Expand

Director: Dmitry Vasyukov and Werner Herzog

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir

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. Read full review

Steven Boone

Jan 24, 2013

Like "Grizzly Man," Herzog's latest documentary, Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is mostly built around another filmmaker's priceless footage. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Mar 1, 2013

Herzog’s longing for the ideological purity in which these lives are lived, free of paperwork and bureaucracy, taxes and technology, drives the film, which lacks an overall story arc. And that longing makes the title’s veracity a little suspect. Read full review

Mark Feeney

Feb 15, 2013

“Happy” isn’t meant ironically. Herzog, who narrates, clearly loves, and envies, the trappers’ elemental existence and connection to nature. Read full review

Frank Scheck

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. Read full review

Nicolas Rapold

Jan 24, 2013

Some limitations of adapting secondhand material show through in the uneven visual quality and diminished control over mood. Yet Mr. Herzog is openly inspired, as ever, by the rugged independence of these resourceful trappers, who seem stoic about everything but their faithful dogs. Read full review

Drew Hunt

Jan 21, 2013

It would be inaccurate to call Happy People: A Year in the Taiga the newest Werner Herzog film. Read full review

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User Reviews

Scraper

Nov 25, 2016

My favorite parts come from the stories the villagers tell about their lives as if there was never before a need to tell those particular stories before, and it's at that point they're first tapping into their inner-monologues. You can tell that every word in those moments is honest.

IMy favorite parts come from the stories the villagers tell about their lives as if there was never before a need to tell those particular stories before, and it's at that point they're first tapping into their inner-monologues. You can tell that every word in those moments is honest.

I wouldn't say that this is really new territory as documentaries go, with the variety of sources these days; especially those focused on the far north and lifestyle in an seemingly unforgiving environment. Still, the material was honest and real enough to be worth the watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

russiangamer

Mar 23, 2017

Как приятно видеть страничку этого кино на метакритике.)
Дело в том, что в России уже есть мини-сериал, а это просто сокращённая версия, да ещё и переозвученная. В оригинале говорят просто, а диктор более официально, да и атмосферы в мини-с. хоть отбавляй.
Итог: Круто, что за рубежомКак приятно видеть страничку этого кино на метакритике.)
Дело в том, что в России уже есть мини-сериал, а это просто сокращённая версия, да ещё и переозвученная. В оригинале говорят просто, а диктор более официально, да и атмосферы в мини-с. хоть отбавляй.
Итог: Круто, что за рубежом показали этот фильм, но для меня он не заменит оригинал. А всем, кто не имеет возможности посмотреть оригинал, смотрите эту версию.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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