imagineNATIVE '18 Film Review - Toyon Kyyl (The Lord Eagle)

Set in Yakutia circa 1930 a rural Northern section of Siberia that the Soviet Union is just starting to insert their influence. Mikipper and his wife Oppuos live a very simple life. Their stone house in the middle of nowhere has the stables attached to the side.  Mikipper goes out on a donkey powered sled to fetch wood for the fire in the forest while Oppous tends to the cows. They have seen tragedy in their lives believing that their next generation was cursed. Into their midst, one day comes a great Eagle. The animal is sacred in their culture with Mikipper being afraid that the bird could be a bad omen or attach their livestock. They begin to feed it meat hoping it would go away but instead the animal settles in a large tree out front seeming to set up home for the winter months.

The old couple set about their activities as the Eagle comes closer to the home each day being more comfortable with the couple. On Christmas Day it appears at the front door to be let into the home. The bird finds a perch near the family shrine in the home becoming a de facto house guest. The couple is secretive about the fowl not wanting anyone to know their predicament. They had invited a close friend to do a shaman ceremony but it has no effect on the Eagle. Eventually, the bird leaves then starts bringing gifts to the couple commencing with with a fox pelt seemingly thanking them for helping it though the harsh winter.

The Yakuita has been a recent spot for many emerging independent voices in Russia. Director Eduard Novikov adapts a story written by Sakha author Vasily Yakovlev The Larch that Grew Old with Me  cloaked it in folklore, intrigue and a good level of suspense. It's also an important historical time. The Soviets are branching out enacting new rules to the community that have to be followed or a fine imposed. In the case of our couple, their stables is ruled to be out of code and must be separated from the living quarters to avoid a penalty.

Toyon Kyll (The Lord Eagle) is a spiritual clear story of a visitor unwelcome at first that becomes a comfort to its unexpected hosts. The Northern Russian land plays a major part in the piece along with everyday farming life in the early 1930's from the region. The two leads play well off each other bickering that the other is not doing their share of the chores or is to blame for the Eagle's appearance. It's a unique tale underpinned by a harrowing indigenous soundtrack of an underrepresented locale and period that I can highly recommend.

**** Out of 4.

Toyon Kyyl (The Lord Eagle) | Eudard Novikov | Russia | 2018 | 80 Minutes.

Tags, Sakha Republic, Yakuitia, Marksman, Rabbit, Fox Pelt, Bolsheviks, Soviet Union, Soldiers, Patrol, Bull, Cattle, Sleigh.