The Russians - An intimate journey through Russia (2/2) | DW Documentary

A very private trip through Russia - a world power with a shrinking population, a myriad of ethnic minorities, and vast distances.
Encounters with Russians from six different generations help us get to know a Russia beyond Moscow and the Kremlin. Away from the 75th Victory Day parade and displays of military might, we meet the people of Russia. They tell us of a nation poised between tradition and the future. Filmmaker Juri Rescheto travelled through the giant country, meeting with ordinary Russians who share their everyday lives with him. They talk about their joys and sorrows, their hopes and needs, and their experiences - good and bad. The film shows intimate scenes from their homes and their workplaces, as well as glimpses of their political views, their standards of living, and their customs. The protagonists’ personal situations are presented in relation to official Russian studies on the particular generation to which they belong.
In Part 1 we go to a city halfway between Moscow and Novosibirsk to meet Jelena, who works as a surrogate mother in a children’s home. Then we travel to the boreal forest in western Siberia to meet 16-year-old Veronika, who spends most of the year in a boarding school. Her parents are reindeer herders and members of the indigenous Khanty people. The generation of young adults in Russia is represented by Kirill, who holds down a normal job, but spends his free time practicing a dangerous hobby: no holds barred boxing.
In Part 2 of the documentary we meet Dmitri, who lives in northwestern Russia and works at Europe’s largest blast furnace. He is a proud steelworker and admires Vladimir Putin. At Lake Baikal, Baba Lyuba tells us many stories about her legendary region and her own eventful life. Finally, we make the acquaintance of Ivan, who earns a livelihood from death as an engraver of tombstones at a gigantic cemetery in central Russia.
Watch Part 1 here: • The Russians - An inti...
Get to know the Russians a little better in our six-part KZbin special:
Part 1: Birth - • Living in Russia: Birt...
Part 2: Childhood - • Living in Russia: Chil...
Part 3: Youth - • Living in Russia: Yout...
Part 4: Adulthood - • Living in Russia: Adul...
Part 5: Old age - • Living in Russia: Old ...
Part 6: Death - • Living in Russia: Deat...
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[@mobeyond]

That grandma skates like a boss 👏

[@antonette5629]

Yeah.. i also notice

[@1rage17]

boss tendencies fasho

[@flankerpraha]

That's why russian figure skaters rule the world :)

[@safiedbanafsh7762]

the ""grandma "" as you say is a retired engineer who used to be the boss of a large section of a factory. so yes , she is the boss now, of her own territory , and she was the boss before when she was working. it's hard for people to see women that way ! well people you need to change your perspective ! :)

[@MrR5000]

She's been skating for 70 years bro, she IS a boss.

[@georgepetrin1334]

My favorites in this 2-part series were the lady who worked as a mother in the orphanage and the elderly lady who lived on Lake Baikal.

[@christinemcclymont269]

I agree George. They were the epitome of Mother Russia. Glad to know there are such warm and resilient people still on the planet. Thank you DW for this programme.

[@billymuthomi6946]

Pure loving and joyful souls. May God bless them both.

[@meskro93]

@@christinemcclymont269 I love how you use his first name, very unusual in these internet streets.

[@christinemcclymont269]

@@meskro93 Thank you! When I see a rare appreciation of the "the milk of human kindness " I feel an affinity of what is almost a bygone set of values in the modern western world.

[@bharatbshetty]

Same here too

[@akapilka]

The "Lady of the Lake" (as she's being referred in the comments below) really deserves to be immortalised in an animated movie. She gives me some Ghibli vibes. How awesome would a movie like that be! I can only imagine.

[@valeriavagapova]

Omg what a lovely idea. I would totally watch that

[@robovolk2350]

What's even more poetic is that her name translates to 'love'

[@alisonalisonalison]

Ghibli or Pixar vibes :)

[@alisonalisonalison]

and yes, her name is Love Seawalker

[@natebailey1122]

Aside from Anastasia, I don’t think Disney has any other animated films that are based on Russian culture. This would make for such a neat film!

[@imranqazi11]

The old lady was my favorite of all characters She is just motivation how she is living her life at this stage in such a zealous way She truly proves that age is just in matter of thought not by living years Thank you DW

[@kathyschreiber9947]

Please don't let her fall and break a hip.

[@ricardocarmona5210]

Well said my friend i agree 100% .

[@kes2016]

"I have everything to make me happy. I have milk, cream, meat and fish in the lake." This old lady makes life look so simple and fun!

[@commodityjane]

No fruit, no vegetables. I did see her with a potato.

[@SuperChodot]

@@commodityjane yet she's a pretty healthy 79 yo woman, probably eat sort of canned fruit, at least tomato

[@commodityjane]

@@SuperChodot Yes for a 79 year old woman who is bent in half. In the cold. I'm guessing she's toughing out her pain.

[@romella_karmey]

@@commodityjane ok negative human go back to the dumpster

[@commodityjane]

@@romella_karmey Have a nice day!

[@arunsapru4265]

I just love that woman on the lake baikal. Just adore her spirit.

[@iceman47]

she is such a badass!

[@hank4920]

She's right, all those churches, temples or mosques or pagodas are all rubbishes. Priests or pastors, clerics or monks, they're not productive elements of society.

[@wonderingalbatros3603]

Makes me feel sad for her in summer when the ice melts. Maybe she swims!

[@SoundMir]

She must be parachuting in summer 😁

[@Africanlaura]

I want to live my life my way just like her! Such an inspirational woman!

[@VI-cb7eu]

i am from the ukraine and when i see my grandmother, she is one of my biggest motivations. she had such a difficult live, survived war and hunger and still has such a spirit and joy of life and love to give !

[@joannasliwa8147]

I'm from Poland and my grandparents also enjoyed a very simple life. Living in France ( Paris ) I wish I could still.return as much as possible to their small house in the Polish Tatras

[@frauleinanni1528]

That lady actually reminds me of my own grandma (who's in her late 80s now) but even more of my granddad's sister. Both have resp. had a similar attitude, my auntie even more than my grandma. I hope I can be that strong at that age also.

[@shable1436]

Its something about eastern women that is more real, in touch with their souls, and common sense than western ones, the Siberian granny has had a whole life of working, but she is happy working for herself and enjoying being in remote area, her animals are her best friends and love her

[@romella_karmey]

Being positive and not let stress rule over your life will literally give you a positive life and a longer lifespan.. The reason why men die faster than women is due to stress from so much work and too much negativity..

[@mimig474]

My grandmother survived France ww1. She was amazing. It's grandma's like this that makes life possible to flourish even with hardships

[@mbenembene2841]

The lady who works as the Mother and the skating grandma are such inspiring human beings. Hugs to them.

[@HvatKondrat]

It's simple, the group "Old Lady drivers" is very popular in Russia

[@sissyrayself7508]

That headstone maker was a wonderful man, a good father and husband too. What a sweet soul.

[@cmuse91]

I feel the skates from 1943 are more than just skates. They transport her back to her younger days and maybe that's why she doesn't have an old spirit. The young girl is still living on on the inside 👍🏻

[@damndemn]

I want to be as cool as the ice skating grandma when I grow up

[@cuac5869]

@dave johnson stop being a creep

[@ricardocarmona5210]

That's funny

[@elephantsmemory3142]

At 76 I guess I got old but I like to think that I never grew up

[@charleswomack2166]

Me too. But I am 42 now. Shouldn't I have grown up by now? Oh well...

[@aw-g]

Gen z are not capable of living without Internet or social media, especially with no followers or posting photos.

[@Mamama241]

i live in russia, and ive never seen an old lady THAT happy about life!!!!!!! I LOVE HER! God bless her and let her live the longest life possible!!

[@shable1436]

Where do you live in Russia? Im at baby stage of learning Russian spelling

[@Mamama241]

@@shable1436 i live in the south, Rostov on Don, you wanna learn to come to Russia???

[@janefarrer2868]

Special respect goes to a background music person ....

[@natebailey1122]

That’s Beethoven for part of the music haha

[@tlaragihai5953]

This amazing woman, answering the question about happiness, said "I have all I need: milk, cream, cheese and there`s fish... in the sea". She called Baikal a sea, not a lake. This is some level of respect and love, I`m crying. Lyubov is such a lovely woman, I want to be as simple and happy as she is.

[@TalHarris]

She said lake

[@tlaragihai5953]

@@TalHarris in Russian she called it a sea

[@cherrycherrylady1700]

Well you should have explain it well enough for others to understand.... that it was translated wrong. Ughh ppl.

[@tlaragihai5953]

@@cherrycherrylady1700 well sorry, for me it was so obvious that she said it, that I forgot the English variant is different and I didn`t think special comment was needed. The translation I wouldn`t say is wrong, I guess they just didn`t want to explain why Baikal, being technically a lake, is called "a sea" because of its cultural significance.

[@debr4265]

Lyubov is also means love

[@evkulkova]

Baba Luba is great skater and a hard working woman. Nobody mentioned the enormous job she is doing each day like looking after 5 cows, 2 calf, 4 chicken and 4 dogs, cleaning animal places, bringing fresh water from the lake to her house to water plants, wash herself or to make cup of tea, preparing wood to warm her house, growing vegetables, doing any repairs in the house. Plus no shops to buy bread or anything, no pharmacy or any civilization near by...

[@TV-nc1bd]

She was very beautiful (those old photos near the christmas tree!) when young- and still is beautiful- inside and out, despite the hard work, without modern conveniences- because she is content and full of joy. Even her singing voice is still young and joyful.

[@sab4793]

Is she stuck in the 1800’s perhaps?

[@nikanix2558]

​@@sab4793 😂

[@tanwar2514]

@@sab4793 she does what she likes , she likes what she does. She is living joyous beautiful content life. What it has to do with 1800? People still in different part of world live in remote area, they may lack modern amenities but are happy!!!

[@Courthadork]

I really love these documentaries. The only thing that bothers me, though are the voiced English translations that go over people speaking their foreign languages. I'd rather read English subtitles and be exposed more to the sound of different languages than to hear loud English translations that distract from what the person is trying to convey through their own words.

[@artemshlyakhtov9375]

Yeah, it's especially annoying if you're fluent in both English and the language they're translating. They start speaking in Russian and you're listening and then 2 seconds later the English voice over comes and it's really jarring.

[@stephanieparker418]

I like the voiceovers. You get to enjoy the visual content instead of being glued to subtitles the whole time. But, to each their own.

[@jermafan111]

I hate the voice overs. So jarring! Subtitles are not hard to read and you can still focus on the video while reading them. The voice over is devoid of emotion in most cases, and doesn’t properly express the emotions being conveyed, not just in this documentary but others on this channel. The channel owner has commented and said they buy these documentaries as is, so unfortunately we won’t see subtitles unless they start buying license to documentaries that utilize them.

[@guslook3184]

It was horribly translated and only showed one side of the political spectrum over there.

[@Kat-tr2ig]

I honestly prefer subtitles over voice overs. However, I also know that some people can't read subtitles because they have vision problmes, or they have dislexia, or are slow readers, or have problems understanding written English, etc. My FIL has difficulty reading, and by the time he gets to the third word, the subtitles switch. So his wife has to read them outloud.

[@maidsua4208]

Russian music, architecture and traditions are wonderful. I wish our neighbors in the East all the best. Loving greetings from Norway.

[@sandra1761]

Thanks Sigrid. I just came home from Norway in early May. Beautiful country.

[@brahim119]

*@Sigrid Abrahamsen.* Norwegians were extremely heroic 75 years ago, respect to all of them.

[@hostlov_]

Thanks we wish you the same 😊🙌🏼✨

[@user-qe9tr9gp6b]

Thank you! We go way back with Norway. We have always had good neighbourly relations with Norway, especially our traders and sailors. 🇷🇺 ❤️ 🇳🇴

[@anastasiaastanina448]

Спасибо. Thank you

[@sumosher]

Wow, the woman on the lake rocked big time!!! Still so beautiful too!

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

I want to meet her, but it looks a bit cold out there ;)

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

@@zj9417 Maybe you are. Probably not because I took your advise and "got back to reality".

[@brahim119]

@@WolfgangVonKempelen838 Go, she will make you good Russian porridge to keep you warm. Serious, if you have the chance go and hug her for all of us here.

[@chenlee3240]

look at grandma go!

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

@@chenlee3240 Only looking ! ?

[@deadrosencrantz8716]

As a Russian, I find this documentary very inspiring. Thanks DW for such a sincere portrayal without any prejudice or propaganda. It shows that Russia is more than just bad politics and Vladimir Putin, and this fact many people (including Russians themselves) tend to forget.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi dead rosencrantz, thx, your compliment is much appreciated!

[@diyashikha93]

And the fact that Russians aren't only beautiful girls and Russian spys

[@Justin-ou6gq]

@@diyashikha93 Well the second statement is true lol.

[@oldbagira2192]

Everything is filmed negatively. I can come to Europe and also look for only negative things - drug addicts, prostitutes, homosexuals, and so on.

[@shable1436]

@@Justin-ou6gq yes they have some major beauty there

[@MsWaruraWiny]

Had to rewind the last part severally when the old lady does an about - turn on her skates! She is lovely!

[@maraeacookson1573]

Both Part 1 & 2 were amazing, I really enjoyed listening to the gentleman doing the gravestones, he did it with respect of the person, respect the family, and respect in the knowledge of the culture and its processes for a funeral. The woman in her late 70's is amazing in her strength, tenacity, courage and joy in daily life. Both these people are beautiful examples of what we should do.

[@Ms-fe2bo]

Very beautiful documentary, beautiful country, beautiful people, beautiful thoughts

[@Sasha-dr4or]

If you lived there you wouldn't think like that, life there is very rough and tough. Many people there don't have a choice just to stay there!

[@Ms-fe2bo]

@@Sasha-dr4or ohhhh !! I didn't know so much. But, the place and people are so close to nature. There is a price of everything.

[@Sasha-dr4or]

@@Ms-fe2bo that is a punishment, not a price. You only have one life!

[@Ms-fe2bo]

@@Sasha-dr4or right

[@Sasha-dr4or]

@@Ms-fe2bo i am saying that because I personally know people who live there, very tough

[@falanqeeye5106]

Woow such amazing content. This is the DW i fall in love with some years back. I was really smiling through out the documentry especially in the last statement when the old women said we are all going to die whether you live in palace or small house. Kudos.

[@shakuntalalivneh8742]

And it did not make her sad that she would die and that would be the end. She is happy even though she believes there is no continuity, no heaven after death. When she gets on her skates , she experiences heaven and freedom now.

[@saeedashaikh5180]

what a different selection of both parts background music. DW team you have done wonderful work.

[@spideywhiplash]

I was thinking the same thing on the background instrumentals.🎼🎻 Absolutely wonderful music to my ears.🎶

[@carsten9168]

A brilliant documentary by DW on ordinary Russian lives away from the glitz and giddiness of Moscow and the Kremlin. Great interview especially of Lyubov, babushka (old lady) !

[@user-dm3yn8ch7q]

As a Russian, I want to say thanks to DW. I expected to be ashamed, but you are showing Russia from its best side. Exciting, beautiful documentary.

[@Cocoisagordonsetter]

They really found extraordinary people for this two part documentary. Russia is amazing!! I lived there.

[@Larissa-of3qt]

I loved the ice skating old lady. Since she said all her children and grandchildren live in the city but i really hope that they visit her often and bring her some necessities like vegetable , fruits, warm clothing , cleaning /washig products, medicine etc.

[@Mamama241]

Yes!! Probably they go in summer, i bet she has the best view from her house :3

[@galinawronkowska7248]

Vegetables and fruits grow in the garden or in the forest nearby. You could not imagine how sweet are forest and field strawberrys, forest raspberrys. There are lots of different forest berries and wild mushrooms. I have been living in the UK for 14 years and I miss to collect forest mushrooms. This is a family tradition in Russia to go to the forest and collect mushrooms and forest berries. I wish to be like the lady of Bikal, it is a horror to spend the end of life sitting in the lounge of care home between other old people with dementia....years and years.

[@jmitterii2]

@@galinawronkowska7248 Would be a freaking nightmare! My grandma on my dad's side had to spend a few months in an critical care nursing home, until my aunt got her nursing certificate to take care of her from home. That particular nursing home was horrible: smelled awful, small hallway, it wasn't like my great grandparents' nursing home on my mom's side: they had a nice apartment room, and a community dining area and community rooms for plays and music and parks outside for walks etc. The one my grandma had to stay at for short time was for critical care elderly. Consisted of one hallway with rooms to one side, the other side some more rooms or an open shower area; right in the hallway or an open latrine with perhaps a curtain that could be drawn. My grandma got to die at her home. And not in that nasty nursing home.

[@rei_cirith]

I hope they send her a little harness for her dog to help with carrying the water buckets! Give her poor back a rest so she can enjoy skating more!

[@MQCKBA]

I have seen a documentary about her where she told that in summer children come to visit her or she goes visit them. She get help from her children. They worry about her though and ask her move and live with them but she refuses. She likes her life the way it is. As long as she is happy her children don't mind her live alone.

[@shable1436]

That old lady has got Siberian blood, thats why shes so tough. She is an adorable soul, she is funny, and those animals love her.

[@constanzapaz3401]

One day I want to be like that granny on skates 😊🥰! There's no such thing as an age to stop enjoying the things you really like!

[@ricardocarmona5210]

The guy above you 4 comments cup said it's just a matter of thought. I agree 100%

[@rizaldepe8299]

I really love the spirit of this Gramma at lake Baikal she's so strong with a happy smile in her face.

[@deafheart23]

That old woman was such a delight, I love that she still ice skates at her age. Her strong independece and humble world view was so refreshing, this was anothger great documentary.

[@sayanaenkhbayar4242]

“we met at the cemetery “ 😍😍

[@Watafuq]

Baba Ljuba gives me life! Amazing woman.

[@luzyduran]

I just loved it when you upload the second part that fast. 😁 Kudos to the people behind this another insightful documentary.

[@ccbc5780]

I salute you Mr. Gravestone maker. You found a way to share yourself to the grieving families somehow. And that's not easy.

[@bonnierobinson8684]

Yes! Me too they are beautiful😀

[@hohhot56inner3]

The old lady was the best part of the documentary 😍

[@Sjalabais]

I just fell in love with a 79 yo girl at Lake Baikal. What a glowing, fantastic lady!

[@unknownhacker2028]

Sir , you're age please.

[@scottphillips2439]

Amazing documentary! I was fortunate to work in Moscow for some time and the Russian people and their resourcefulness and pragmatic view on life inspire me. It doesn't take much to make many Russian people happy. Apartment, job and Dacha. That is a good life indeed.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Scott Phillips, Thanks for watching and commenting. We're always interested in hearing your thoughts. You might also like our six-part KZbin special on the Russians. Here are some links for you in case you want to check it out: Part 1: Birth - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZSyZmuqgZZ2i9k Part 2: Childhood - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anqqZZiMmc2Vrqs Part 3: Youth - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYOsmoehZtOFbZo Part 4: Adulthood - kzbin.info/www/bejne/npabd3qtbspgpsU Part 5: Old age - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXLRiHlsrrmUjbM Part 6: Death - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIKxZWVmga6qqMU Enjoy and let us know what you think. Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@jessmorri7194]

Люба is a firecracker. Absolutely loved her. I think she's younger than my own grandparents that have already passed, but she's such an example of their generation. Wonderful doc, thank you!

[@plrs76]

A really great documentary. Painted a whole new picture of a Russia that i thought i knew/heard about. Spread the positivity.

[@oldbagira2192]

This is not good. Everything was filmed in the gray key pressed. These two films do not describe vast Russia in any way. A terrible metallurgical plant, a cemetery, why?

[@romella_karmey]

@@oldbagira2192 because reading the description makes you informed why.. It features russian life from birth to death. Different age bracket.

[@Go-go-super-guru]

Russians are such a unique variation of peoples. 🥰🥰🥰

[@NaelleDevannah]

The Lady of the Lake is definitely a feature film all on its own. She’s very inspiring. This is quite a positive vision of Russia. Love how fearless and engaged all these six humans are. They move forward despite the struggles. Wishing everyone lots of good health out there.

[@ivanfedotov9971]

I am russian and i love my country ❤️🙏🙌great video 👍✨

[@shannomitrajena6677]

Lot's of love from India.

[@ivanfedotov9971]

❤️👍😉

[@1sunstyle]

:thumbup:

[@SoundMir]

Molodets!:)) Me too!:))

[@smonline631]

ну да, только надо в инфраструктуру нормально вложиться..

[@gypsynikki]

Russians are strong, tough people. Thanks for sharing their stories. Love from Texas, USA👍🏾💖

[@ayileenenga9670]

i watching the video from Tx as well. We have to recognize the russians are really tough people.

[@Spiritualwarfare587]

No they are not

[@smonline631]

we are not strong or tough, just the conditions are, inside we are warm and hearted

[@ayileenenga9670]

@@smonline631 Compare to Europeans and Americans, y'all are stronger. you guys are building your country without imposing slavery to others countries. you guys are the ones making your country great. Unlike the USA and EU who need to destroy countries and put puppet to get what the want for less.

[@MQCKBA]

@@ayileenenga9670 man you are have no idea what you are talking about.

[@leslievoice1402]

I live in the mountains on the NW USA. Born in Kodiac Alaska. This documentary makes me wish to live there. I am a man of the NW wilderness. Very well done. Stay Strong and free.

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

The old Baikal lake lady should represent Russia in next year Euro song festival. She is also the most rational person in this docu; when she talks about her outlook on life and religion. Very wise lady indeed.

[@ciprian2832]

Sorry... But this lady is not wise, Pietro. She is just indoctrinated by the atheistic communist regime. She is nostalgic about sovietic regime, and I understand her. But I can't understand you. If an atheist is wise, does it mean a believer is stupid or foolish?

[@highstandards6226]

That *old* lady, could out skate most teenagers that i know in this day and age!👏👏👏👏

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

@jeremy Lyons Demean with talk of rationality ? where is the logic in your reasoning fella ? Please explain because you lost me.

[@CrvenkapicaIVZNG]

@fleshnbone187 That is wise.

[@beghumantu.16]

That grandma is so chill... At this age also she is skating so easily.... Hats off✌️

[@aygungaribli5493]

42:31 this old woman is just amezing 😎I can't walk on the ice she is skating 🤦🏻‍♀️😅

[@modarzaifa2807]

I just love the old lady's life it is full of peace ...... wish for her the best best respect for you also the producers to bring to us this magnificent journey

[@joaomonteiro1562]

Really beautiful country! 🇷🇺 Love from Portugal 🇪🇺🇵🇹

[@fozziebear411]

The old lady skater put a smile on my face😀 maybe DW come back to see her in 20 years and we can still see her skating the lake

[@thekingin3128]

I can't thank you enough ''DW ''channel and co workers I owe you and I wish you all happiness 💝💝💝💝💝💝

[@ramajax7203]

Babushka announced to the entire world that she has a gun which does not work. Anyway she, being a super granny, need not fear.

[@marionkilian7188]

It must take a very special person to work in graveyards day after day, taking on people’s grief and the situation we are all in. The noise and stillness was incredibly moving...I felt his true connection through his response and his awareness of his time and place within this place of mourning, and his belief and hope of rebirth.

[@mar808]

Wow, 79-year-old and still skating 😮! That's awesome.❤️👍

[@elkarim9929]

The old lady rocks...sending her much love and strength..happiness

[@ekaterinagoncharenko5077]

I need to tell you - Russia is so much more than this documentary will ever be able to explore. There are thousands ways of growing up, living and dying in here. We have so much more than old villages and suburbs... there are so many towns, cities and climate zones that it is impossible to show “how it feels to live in Russia”. Just be aware - there are maaany options besides those ones in this video

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi Katherina, totally agreed, thx for commenting! Stay tuned !

[@user-qe9tr9gp6b]

I think this documentary AGAIN shows Russia as a dark, depressing place. As if Hollywood and the western media hadn’t done it already. But they could have shown something different like Sochi - beautiful subtropical resorts, Novosibirsk - a huge megacity of Siberia, a scientific capital and a city of universities, Belgorod - agricultural pearl of Russia.

[@sefulmare]

Hi Katherina...I rather understand your comment exactly. Over the past 10 years since I was a young adult, way before the existence of this, or many others documentaries that claim to accurately "typify" living in Russia, I've had this inexplicable growing desire to visit, explore and better understand the country. As an eastern EU citizen, I cannot honestly say that I will never feel like I belong in the "decadent" West. Despite having lived in America and the UK for almost 20 years combined, achieving all professional and material aspirations I could ever hope for....something is still missing. Yet, when I look to my Eastern neighbour, it always instanly conveys feelings of a second home, cordiality and humanity, despite having never been. Now I feel comes a point in my life where I will soon be ready to attempt a change, hoping to discover (or rather confirm) the same inner beauty you see and humbly appreciate from within. What happens after is anybody's guess .....

[@rei_cirith]

The country is way too large to explore in a 2-part documentary. Would be really cool to see more. This already gives a really interesting view of the diversity there. It's interesting how the country has progressed quite differently from other large countries like China and the US.

[@rei_cirith]

@@user-qe9tr9gp6b I don't get dark and depressing from this documentary. It may be coloured by some bias, but after seeing what is happening in China, lately, it's refreshing to see the different parts of Russia and it's diversity. A country doesn't have to be glitz and riches to be beautiful. I hold more optimism for Russia's future than I do currently for many others. I think Russia is a huge nation, with many resources frozen in the north. With global warming, I think Russia is playing a long game. Other nations like the US and China are playing hard and fast, and I see them burning out as Russia has a potential to rise.

[@iii.aslhan2769]

I can watch a full documentary about that grandma.What a brave woman 👏🏻👏🏻

[@TSPMikey]

This documentary made me cry. The lady of the lake has one of the most beautiful stories and spirits I’ve ever heard. She is so strong, funny and youthful despite her age. I got worried for her, being out there without any other neighbours nearby. DW is doing so much good by delivering unbiased information to the world. It’s so refreshing to learn about other cultures, in ways that aren’t rooted in American and other Western propaganda. BIG LOVE FROM THE UK! 🇬🇧

[@user-pi1ef5mc6q]

It's nice that not all people in the world consider us to be fiends who dream of destroying the whole world. We're really not evil! 😉 From Russia with love!❣

[@billm3210]

That old lady is 110% tough and free spirited. Living alone in the cold and multi talented. They don't build those ladies anymore...nor men.

[@PrithivRaj-jb9wq]

Beautiful scenery at Russia, also captured very well. Nature and people seems to be very diverse at Russia. Documentary was really amazing. I accept the words of the Elderly lady, very well said about the life. 💯

[@catalinanecula5055]

I love the spirit of the granny. She is so lovely and positive.

[@foursee3714]

79 years old in the frozen tundra & lands on her feet everyday no matter what life deals her. My inspiration, no excuses🙂. [Side note: loving the gun she has that only scares people.]

[@galinawronkowska7248]

Tundra is far away to the North, it is "taiga" there.

[@annadubasova1179]

It's not frozen all the time. There are all 4 seasons.

[@TatianaIsaevaRu]

I really liked both parts of these documentary. And I would like to thank DW team for this work: for finding the stories, for beautiful videomaking, editing, and a great music choice! ❤️

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

Wonderful series, thanks again.

[@darkknight-yu8pq]

"3 planks and a roof , a person does not need more than that, we're all going to die one way or another " and in the end be one with mother earth with our souls free.... How bad i see people fighting over race and religion and consider themselves educated. You grandma are the most enlightened one.... You're living a happy and fulfilled life. May you keep smiling until death.

[@englishpedagogiccenter5788]

Totally enlightened with Splendiferous work out... Eventually absolutely Masterpiece

[@user-qi9bl9hd9l]

Lubov Morechodova is a true super star of the whole movie. Could you please visit her again and pay her a bit respect again.

[@OzzieOzzieOzzieOyOyOy]

Much love and respect to my Russian brothers and sisters, from a Brit.

[@nikanix2558]

Thank you, dear 💕

[@bernadettebecher5668]

What a great documentary. Thank you from Australia!

[@akprojects7369]

this deserves an OSCAR, amazing job.

[@beatyea5711]

always so happy to see a dw documentary. never disappointed. thank you!!

[@leopistorius]

I wish I could adopt the wonderful old woman as a grandma.

[@daone9847]

Id rather have her adopt me🤣

[@gdaqian]

Adopt me I still skate solo tennis against a wall hike bike swim in lake or ocean camp. A tad younger. Oh lived on lake Baykal for two weeks one with high fever one autumn when campers were all gone. Took plane to China then crossed a river to Russia train to north end of Baykal.

[@tonniealvarez9549]

I wish there was more people with that beautiful attitude and happiness of the lady of the lake baikal😇

[@billymuthomi6946]

This is the best documentary I've ever seen. I had to pause and show my appreciation. Other available western media portray Russia in a negative way, but in this two part film we see them as normal loving, hard working and happy people. They may have troubles of their own like we all do, but DW enabled us to see them as fellow human beings. We should not let politics divide us.👊👊👊

[@jacksonthompson7099]

Awesome documentary DW, I hope to travel Europe and Russia on my vacation time in the future. Russia looks to be such a beautiful country with incredible people. Greetings from a box factory worker in Oklahoma USA 🙂

[@peacelove983]

I loved the older lady singing at the end of the documentary 👍

[@chanachaya8996]

That elderly lady skater is a real inspiration!! Never seen any seniors that happy when i lived in florida!

[@revolter7094]

The ice skating babushka is so awesome and has a really, really great spirit. She is a real independent and strong woman. She is 79 and has more strengh than most people young people my age I know including me.

[@carlagoncalves531]

I admire the Russian culture and resilience. Very strong people. This documentary is gem. DW channel doing an amazing work compared with the current offer. Cheers from 🇬🇧& 🇵🇹

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Carla Gonçalves, Thanks for watching! You might also like our six-part KZbin special on the topic: Part 1: Birth - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZSyZmuqgZZ2i9k Part 2: Childhood - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anqqZZiMmc2Vrqs Part 3: Youth - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYOsmoehZtOFbZo Part 4: Adulthood - kzbin.info/www/bejne/npabd3qtbspgpsU Part 5: Old age - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXLRiHlsrrmUjbM Part 6: Death - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIKxZWVmga6qqMU Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@carlagoncalves531]

@@DWDocumentary absolutely! Thank you 🙂

[@harshavardhanmp2031]

I like the way the old lady ice skates it reminds me some kind of witch or god of death on wheels in horror movies but jokes apart I like her free spirit respect her for the way she lives her independent life, god bless her.

[@dalimilmatousek4074]

don't you realize she's an atheist? she doesn't care about gods

[@azkymohamed123]

Your documentaries are amazing. Thanks for producing it.

[@z.a.23]

Какой же офигенный документальный фильм! Действительно показали Россию с разных сторон, а не как обычно: русские, церковь, Путин

[@nativewriter7454]

"ИВАН ВОДКА БАЛАЛАЙКА ХОП ХОП ХОП"😅😢

[@bluebellrose8]

I watched another documentary about an old lady living in poverty in the country and feeling abandoned by her son. She was crying all the time and looked utterly miserable. Her granddaughter visited her but she was still crying, weeping about her son and then I see this old lady just getting on with it and being happy. She's too busy living her life. Good for her! It really does come down to your perspective and your outlook on life. I wish I could introduce this old lady to the old Chinese lady and maybe the Chinese lady would finally move on with her life too.

[@catherinepavlova8809]

I'm from Russia, studying sociology at a university. And I can't get how the film creators managed to make the film about Russia representative and not representative at the same time. Firstly, more than a quarter of Russian people live in big cities with near or more than a million population. But we have seen no such kind of characters at all. Secondly, we saw that people especially young ones talk a lot about country’s safety and their readiness to protect it. But sociological studies say that Russians are afraid of the government starting a war but not that Russia would have to protect itself from foreign encroachment. So, this image of aggressive Russians is incorrect. Thirdly, the numbers about spreading of Orthodoxic Christianity are much higher than it is. Answering for the question “Do you believe in God?” most Russians say “Yes”. But for the question “How often do you go to a church?” you’ll get the answer "Two times PER A YEAR or more" in less than 10% of cases. So, on the real practices Russia is a secular country. Fourthly, the words about popularity of Vladimir Putin. But he is definitely not as popular in general as these people say. His rating’s been slowly going down since 2015 when it was almost 90% and these days it’s just about 65%. But despite all these points the film also showed us a lot of urgent problems, problems of “current impotence” that exist in Russian society nowadays. Economic decline, falling incomes, demographic pitfall, short male life expectancy, large percentage of single mothers' families, abandoned children, spreading of HIV, and of cause conservatism of people who make political decisions and etc. The film shows Russia outside its big cities, and it's really worth a watching.

[@travelingjana4240]

Such inspiring and enriching documentaries ! Thank you !

[@jrrseydel]

That was simply a terrific production... Congrats to DW!

[@Siren-Alpha-Beta-Gamma]

The old lady is the only reason to watch this part of the documentary, she is awesome

[@sushantnarang7552]

Lady on Lake Baikal is a lady of Steel.

[@shakuntalalivneh8742]

You are right. If I had to live like her , I would be in my grave by now. She is indomitable . She taught me something about how little you need to be happy. She doesn't need either the state or her relatives to look after her. The strength of any country lies in people like her.

[@sushantnarang7552]

@@shakuntalalivneh8742 A ture inspiration.

[@sandra1761]

She is amazing!

[@yogithashetty2587]

Thanks for bringing this to us 👌🏻😄👏🏻 amazing show ! What a great spirit the grandma is !!! Love her enthusiasm for life 👍🏻

[@patriceortovent3337]

Grandma is a wonderful person, we need people like her to have a better world.

[@frederikheymans]

Some "salt of the earth" people, reflecting sound values and simplicity. Reminded me of my conservative upbringing. Thanks for this peek into the Russian society.

[@antonygoedhals6272]

Truly joyous and life-affirming! Thank you to all involved in this!

[@papa20117]

Great program 👍❤️🙏🏽

[@NoNopeAndNo]

The old lady is my hero, inspirational 💚

[@shelltowee8629]

Love the old babushkas outlook, she could write a best seller with advise like that!!

[@ajit52]

Amazing life out there in the woods Beautiful presentation Loved it Thanks for sharing

[@linnyhajnalka4393]

I enjoyed this series so much!

[@hadisjalilian3139]

Great documentary. The skating lady is an inspiration

[@ricktandron3669]

Absolutely brilliant. Great work.