Climate change and ancient beliefs: Yakut filmmakers to collaborate with Americans on a horror film

Yakut company Saidam Baryl will collaborate with the American studio Argentic Productions on the folk horror film THAW (The Thaw). According to the film's director, Stepan Burnashev, this is one of the first projects of its kind and "a step toward a large-scale international production."

The deal has already been finalized at the American Film Market (AFM), North America's largest market for film rights and financing deals. According to SD, the film's production planning and crew selection phase will now begin. The film is scheduled for release in late 2026 or early 2027.

The action of "The Thaw" will take place in a Yakut village. An American documentary filmmaker arrives to investigate the consequences of melting permafrost, but will also witness the shamanic initiation of a local girl.

"In Western culture, such states are often interpreted as possession. In the Sakha tradition, it's the beginning of a shaman's journey, a calling and a responsibility. 'The Thaw' suggests viewing these processes not as something to be banished, but as something to be understood," Burnashev explained.

In addition to this AFM deal, the Yakut director secured inclusion of his films on Amazon. Seven Yakut films are now available on the platform.

Stepan Burnashev is a director known not only in Yakutia. He has already worked in Malaysia, and four of his films were released on Russian platforms this fall. Perhaps the most famous, "Ayta," was banned in Russia. Roskomnadzor deemed it "manifestations of nationalism." It was also acquired by Amazon.

Read more about the rapidly developing Yakut cinema in a large article by "NeMoskva."

Photo: Stepan Burnashev.