The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe (2019)

The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe (2019) poster

If you’ve ever wondered whether reindeer antlers bleed if you saw them off, this film will leave you with no doubt. In the remote Altai Mountains of Russia, on the border with China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, reindeer herders make a living from the trade in “velvet antlers.” South Korean customers in particular swear by the extract made from the antlers, which is supposed to have medicinal properties, including to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The entire process of “harvesting” the antlers is documented in unadorned and grisly detail, interspersed with commentary from the herders and panoramic footage of the green and rugged mountain landscape. During cigarette breaks, the herders bemoan their lack of prospects and the deplorable state of Russian politics and the economy, describing their own position as akin to slavery. Meanwhile, it seems to be the visiting Korean dealers who are raking in the profit.

Director: Galina Leontyeva
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 64 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Cinematography: Artem Ignatov
Editing: Valery Nalimov, Galina Leontyeva
Country: Russia
Language: Pусский
Original Language: ru
More Films by Director: Galina Leontyeva
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe about?
If you’ve ever wondered whether reindeer antlers bleed if you saw them off, this film will leave you with no doubt. In the remote Altai Mountains of Russia, on the border with China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, reindeer herders make a living from the trade in “velvet antlers.” South Korean customers in particular swear by the extract made from the antlers, which is supposed to have medicinal properties, including to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The entire process of “harvesting” the antlers is documented in unadorned and grisly detail, interspersed with commentary from the herders and panoramic footage of the green and rugged mountain landscape. During cigarette breaks, the herders bemoan their lack of prospects and the deplorable state of Russian politics and the economy, describing their own position as akin to slavery. Meanwhile, it seems to be the visiting Korean dealers who are raking in the profit.
Who directed The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe?
The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe was directed by Galina Leontyeva.
How long is The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe?
The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe has a runtime of 1h 4m (64 minutes).
What genre is The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe?
The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe is a Documentary film.
Where was The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe produced?
The Season When Velvet Antlers Get Ripe was produced in Russia.