If Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, then Ingushetia has been wrapped inside Russia for more than 200 years
legends of
Ingushetia A Documentary by Fatima Mutsolgova & Elena Michajlowska 56 minutes, colour, stereo Exhibition format: PAL Production format: HDV English/Ingush/Russian, UK, 2010 English subtitles www.legendsofingushetia.com legendsofingushetia@gmail.com Š Confer filmz
legends of
Ingushetia
The Caucasus – an enigmatic region nestled around the Great Caucasian Mountain Range between Black and Caspian seas at the crossroads of Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Central Asia. It is a home to a dazzling array of ethnic groups and ancient cultures. Yet little is known about the past of some of its autochthonic nations, especially Ingushetia – the smallest North Caucasian republic on the territory of Russian Federation. Historic studies of The North Caucasus went hand in hand with Russian conquest of the region in the 18-19th centuries. Ingushetia’s position at the heart of the Caucasus, lodged between its main communication artery, the Darial Gorge, and Chechen insurgents, sealed its fate. More than two centuries later following the collapse of the Soviet Union the events of the Caucasian war were repeated with Chechnya’s bid for independence in 1994. Although Ingushetia chose not to support their neighbours’ fight, it was unable to prevent violence from spilling across the border. Explosions, suicide bombings, killings and kidnappings: they all feature in the daily life of 21st century Ingushetia. The republic has been nicknamed by journalists as “ The Second Chechnya”, and the issue of Russia’s control of the war on terrorism in the North Caucasus is becoming more and more critical. However, there have been very few investigations into the roots of conflicts in this combustible corner of the world. Ingushetia still doesn’t have an officially researched history. Fatima Mutsolgova undertakes an unprecedented journey into her homeland’s unwritten past, charting Ingushetia’s culturally rich landscape with its compelling mix of mythological tales, history and personal stories, arriving at her nation’s darkest hour in February 1944, when the entire population became a phantom nation.
legends of
Ingushetia
Biographies Fatima Mutsolgova – director/producer Fatima was born in Ingushetia and lived there until she was sent to a private Catholic school in South Devon (England) at the age of 17. Although she was always focused on her business studies, Fatima agreed to co-produce Elena Michajlowska’s documentary Baltic Breeze (2006). Since then they have jointly worked on many audio-visual and cultural projects in London. Legends of Ingushetia was conceived by Fatima Mutsolgova back in 2006 and the funding was secured in 2008. The documentary is Mutsolgova’s directorial debut. Following the film’s release, she is planning to focus her career on the film business in Europe, as she is currently based in the Netherlands.
Elena Michajlowska – director/producer
Written and Directed by Fatima Mutsolgova & Elena Michajlowska Director of Photography Audrey Aquilina Sound Recordist Husein Malsagov Archeology consultant Umalat Gadiev Still Photography Ibragim Kurkiev Elena Michajlowska Driving and Security Ibragim Goygov
Elena was born in Kazakhstan, raised in the Russian Far East and has been living in England for the last 12 years, where she is currently working on documentary films and various cultural projects, including the restoration of Chekov’s house in Yalta. She has worked on films with ethnographic and historical themes, with subjects ranging from Roma artists in Ukraine to WWII battles. Her directorial debut documentary about politically charged youth in Latvia Baltic Breeze was premiered in London – “more of a gale than a breeze” according to one journalistic review. Legends of Ingushetia is Michajlowska’s first feature length documentary co-directed with Fatima Mutsolgova.
Online edit and grading Masa Scalec Davorin Tomsic
Audrey Aquilina – director of photography
Music © Loam, Ingushetia
Audrey has worked in film and television for over fifteen years, training on flagship BBC documentaries before moving on to dramas and documentaries for British and US productions. An experienced DOP, she recently produced and directed a short film, which has shown internationally, and she co-directed the location work for Legends of Ingushetia. Of all the remote locations in which she has worked, her Ingushetia experience remains one of her most unusual and enjoyable.
Colour correction Masa Scalec Sound mix Davorin Tomsic Voice-over recorded by Warnier Studios, Netherlands Offline edit George Akers Elena Izosimova
Associate Producers Magomed Mutsolgov & Assel Kulisheva SPECIAL thanks to Ibragim Goygov, Roza Mogushkova, Nina Mogushkova, Marem Matieva Produced by Confer filmz (UK, 2010)