Alexey Lagerev

In the mountains of the Eastern Sayan range, in the south-west of the Republic of Buryatia, lies the ulus of Myla. Life here is a constant struggle. From something as basic as heating one's home, the struggle extends to every aspect of life in this small Khamnigan settlement. How do Darkhan's creativity, inquisitive mind, and gifted hands help the entire ulus survive in the harsh conditions of Zakamna? And what philosophy allows Dondok Dorzhiyevich to reconcile the seemingly irreconcilable - being both a darkhan and a shaman who creates Buddhist ritual objects?

Today he's happy. He always is when he works in the fields. "Why do Mom and Dad make me go to this school, and not just go, but learn these unnecessary skills for him, a machine operator? It would be better if he threshed the grain quietly, and it would be easier for Mom, too. And let my younger sisters go to school, even though they're already grown up..." Eleven-year-old Bogdan carefully lifts the harvester and stops it at the edge of the field.

The film Maria's House talks about people with intellectual and mental disabilities. Children and youth who would otherwise be totally deprived of any future, live a normal life here with their everyday joys and sorrows. The village inhabitants have nowhere to hurry, they enjoy doing work they are capable of doing, they selflessly help each other, and they are always glad to welcome new guests. Happiness dwells here