The Golden Taiga

The shaman is still there. But now there is also a (Communist) scientist: a young geologist. And there is a portrait of Stalin hanging in the tent. Expeditions are underway in the Central Asian Altai Mountains to investigate the mineral resources, which the Soviet Union urgently needs in order to continue its industrialisation programme. And at the "golden spot" gold is discovered, which some bandits are also searching for. Hence, the film has all the conditions for an exciting story: a wild chase, a kidnapping, a murder, a forest fire, coincidences and even the deployment of a (modest) air fleet – right up to the fire at the end. The story is driven by the acute antagonisms between the indigenous peoples, the brave geologists, the bandits and a blonde beauty. (Berlinale)