Life of Ivanna

Russia, Norway, Finland, Estonia2021documentary80'Konkurs dokumentalny (2021)

The eponymous protagonist is a true strongwoman. This young mother of five children belongs to the nomadic community of Nenets, an ethnic group living in remote areas of Siberian tundra. Unable to count on her husband – an alcoholic, Ivanna fulfils traditional male and female roles at the same time. But her dream is to abandon her nomadic life in severe conditions. Moving to a city, however, signifies not only a radical change but also a violation of the local tradition. The camera captures the protagonist’s heroic efforts to ensure something more than biological survival for her and her children.