CREATING
As a visual anthropologist, I extend my research beyond traditional ethnography, using film and sound to explore complex social and environmental issues. My documentary projects seek to immerse viewers/listeners in the sensory dimensions of lived experience, capturing textures that words alone often cannot convey. Harnessing the evocative power of these mediums, I aim to make my research accessible and compelling, building connections between academic inquiry and the broader public.
AINU FEVER
Roma Shatrov, the founder of the Silent Cape Nature Park, is deeply passionate about Ainu history and culture and is dedicated to revitalizing their traditions. Irina Grudova, a local Ainu activist, is cautious of such outsiders looking to exploit her heritage. Yet Roma and Irina instantly hit it off and formed a strong bond over their mutual love of the Ainu. Ainu Fever explores romanticism and self-discovery at the heart of their complicated friendship and its potential promise for Ainu-Russian relations.
CAUGHT BETWEEN WAVES
Caught Between Waves is a documentary short that delves into the turbulent realities of 1990s Russia, a time marked by stark contradictions and growing inequality. The film pieces together fragments of found footage to juxtapose the lives of women working in the fishing industry in Russia’s Far East with the opulence of luxury European cruises advertised on national television. By exploring these vastly different worlds, the documentary highlights the complexities of a society caught between hardship and aspiration, inviting viewers to reflect on how ordinary lives are shaped by broader economic and social shifts.
SEWING FOR ARTSAKH
Blending the rhythmic sounds of a sewing machine, church bells, and echoes from home videos, Sewing for Artsakh creates a deeply reflective atmosphere. The film captures Nelli, a young Armenian American woman, as she sews a quilt and ruminates on her connection to Armenia during a time of war. The growing toll of bells evokes a sense of urgency, while the mechanical hum of her sewing machine eerily resembles the sound of machine guns, symbolizing the emotional weight of her contemplation. Through intimate close-ups and an introspective pace, Sewing for Artsakh offers a poignant meditation on identity, diaspora, and the struggle to support a homeland in times of conflict.