4 HN users recommended this documentary5 months2015–2023score 6
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Recommended as the authentic original that many prefer over Werner Herzog's shortened re-cut.
The first part of Dmitry Vasyukov's four-part Russian documentary series about trappers and villagers living in the Siberian taiga. This episode follows spring life along the Yenisei, with hunting, fishing and subsistence in harsh surroundings.
“I like the original much better, I think of it as the authentic view” (HN, 2023)
Herzog's documentary is just a new cut of the original Russian documentary, adding Herzog's old hippie narrative. The original version is fantastic, and much more authentic. Available on YouTube, with subtitles, on the director's own channel: [this video] [link] [link] [link]
Original Russian version, more authentic than Herzog's re-cut.
Thank you. What Herzog did was re-edit and put his own narration on the original Russian Happy People, a 4-part documentary. I like the original much better, I think of it as the authentic view, while Herzog's version is the typical old German hippie looking at an alien world (and I love Herzog!). Still, I found it very interesting to see both versions. The original 4-part documentary, with English narration, is available on the original Russian director's YouTube channel: [this video] [link] [link] [link]
Authentic original four-part documentary preferred over Herzog's version.
If you enjoyed that, you might also enjoy Dmitry Vasyukov's "Happy People" documentary about the people living in the Siberian taiga. It's on youtube [1]. 1: [this video]
Documentary about people living in the Siberian taiga.
I watched this, and enjoyed it, but was later surprised to learn that Herzog had started with a completed documentary but made major changes to the narrative---for the worse! There are few scenes that he edited to tell a different story than they did in the original, seemingly with minimal concern for truth. It really hurt my image of Herzog. So I'd second the recommendation, but add that if you get a chance, you should try to view Vasyukov's original as well. Herzog's version might be a bit snappier, but I don't think it's actually better. The original is available in four parts on Youtube. Here's part one: [this video]
Vasyukov's original is worth viewing alongside Herzog's altered cut.
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