Aatsinki: The Story Of Arctic Cowboys

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys is a 2013 documentary film featuring the lives of Finnish brothers Aarne and Lasse Aatsinki. Directed by Jessica Oreck, the film draws back the curtain on a unique lifestyle in the Arctic Circle that is not commonly known to the wider public. Through the eyes of the Aatsinki family, viewers are taken on a journey into the wilderness of Finland's Lapland, depicting a year in the life of modern-day cowboys who are maintaining an age-old way of life despite the encroaching tide of modernity.

The film presents a raw and unfiltered portrait of the Aatsinki brothers, emphasizing their strong familial bond and their vital connection to their environment. Aarne and Lasse are reindeer herders by trade, a profession they inherited from their ancestors. Their work is fundamental to their Sami culture, a semi-nomadic people indigenous to the region, and requires a distinct set of skills, knowledge, and resilience to survive in extreme conditions and navigate challenging terrains.

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys opens in the depths of the Finnish winter, portraying the vast, frozen tundra and the imposing silence of the landscape. The viewer is introduced to the brothers in their native element, herding their reindeer through the harsh Arctic winter with skill and ease. Throughout the year, viewers are taken along on their everyday journeys, be it guiding the reindeers to graze, safeguarding them from predators or preparing them for the market.

Every scene is captured with meticulous attention to detail, giving a nuanced perspective of this demanding lifestyle. Yet, despite its harsh realities, the film also captures the Aatsinki family's love for their work, the stark beauty of their surroundings, and the joy they find in their traditional way of life.

The narrative also features Lauri Aatsinki, the youngest of the tribe, vividly emphasizing the generational aspects of their profession. Observing Lauri's experiences and interactions with his older brothers, viewers can deeply perceive how this culture, values, and traditional practices are handed down from one generation to another. This generational transfer of knowledge and duty forms an enchanting part of the movie plot and further deepens the viewers' insight into the Aatsinki way of life.

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys goes beyond the reindeer herding experience and explores the complex interplay between the Aatsinki way of life and the modern world. The Aatsinki family, like many Sami reindeer herders, faces pressures from climate change, industrial encroachment, and tourism. They also contend with the fallout of stringent European Union regulations. The depiction of their struggle for survival amidst these challenges adds an undercurrent of tension and urgency to the film.

Despite these tough odds, the film showcases the brothers' resilience and tenacity as they adapt and persevere. It emphasizes their bond – not just as brothers but also as partners who shoulder the responsibility and honor of preserving their family's legacy. Their unwavering commitment to protecting their reindeer and the ancient nomadic life they represent is profoundly moving and inspiring.

While the story is fundamentally about the Aatsinki family, the stars of the film aren't only the cowboy brothers. The reindeer are integral characters in the narrative, effectively representing their importance in the brothers' lives and the local culture. Scenes of reindeer herding are immersive and captivating, drawing viewers into the art and complexity of this ages-old tradition.

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys document the raw, unfiltered lives of Arctic cowboys with respect, sincerity, and authenticity. It enables viewers to soak in the rugged beauty of the Nordic wilderness while appreciating the harsh realities of a challenging, virtually unknown profession.

In all, Aatsinki: The Story Of Arctic Cowboys is a stark, contemplative, and visually stunning portrayal of a distinctive way of life. It asks viewers to suspend their conventional notions of cowboys and invites them to delve into the world of arctic reindeer herding. This contemplative exploration encapsulates the Aatsinki brothers' resilience, commitment, and quiet determination in face of severe environmental and cultural challenges. The film serves, above all, as a poignant reminder of the profound human connection with nature and the ancient ways of life that are gradually vanishing in the modern era.