Them, Us and Skitskoj (A Dialogue in the Editing Room)

The island of Skitskoj lies in northern Europe's inaccessible taiga. To get there you have to cross three rivers – the Pichora, the Tsilma and the Pizhma. Nothing has changed here; it is as if time has stood still. And hidden away from civilisation, a world of change, and the power of the Orthodox Church this place is home to a community of Old Believers. Despite centuries of malice they still adhere to their original faith, which was reformed and banned in 17th century Russia. The Old Believers are bound by strict religious rituals and rather obsessively adhere to the rhythm of church holidays and everyday duties. Geographical barriers and their faith lead them to distrust everything which comes from the outside world. Can an outsider even succeed in establishing contact with the community? The director's meditative and uncommonly intimate familiarity with these people living at the end of the world goes far beyond the usual limits of ethnographic documentary making. The film, subtitled "A Dialogue in the Editing Room", is actually a conversation between the director and the editor about the possibility of seeking and finding connection and communication in today's dehumanised world.