Four celebrated works by Yakutian filmmaker Stepan Burnashev, Black Snow, Our Winter, Cursed Land-Fate and Aita, are now streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime Video via Rising Sun Media – marking a major milestone in the global visibility of Sakhawood cinema.

 

Burnashev, a pioneer of Sakhawood, represents an Indigenous filmmaking tradition rooted in the Sakha Republic of Siberia, widely known as one of the coldest and most remote regions on Earth. His films, often produced on limited budgets with non-professional actors, are acclaimed for their emotional precision and cultural authenticity. “I believe in the poetry of the ordinary. Every line, every silence must carry emotion and meaning.”

 

Black Snow is a stark survival tale that uses the tundra itself as a collaborator. “The tundra is an honest co-author,” says Burnashev. Our Winter captures the quiet unraveling of a marriage. “Yakutian cinema doesn’t offer escapism; it offers reflection.” Cursed Land-Fate draws from Yakut shamanic traditions to create chilling folk horror, while Aita examines ethnic tensions and resilience.

 

 

Aita, banned in Russia in 2023 for being “contrary to the principles of the unity of the peoples of Russia,” was, according to Burnashev, “a paradoxical sign of success, proving that a small regional film could be powerful enough to disturb systems of silence.”

 

“I don’t choose genres – I follow stories, and each story finds its own form,” says Burnashev. “It means people are ready to listen to voices from the periphery, which often carry the most honesty.”

 

Nadav Streett of Rising Sun Media adds, “I think that’s what independent filmmaking is really about- that constant pull towards making movies, even if there’s a chance nobody could ever see them. I’m glad to be able to provide these films with a path to get in front of new audiences who will be able to appreciate them.”

 

Rising Sun Media (est. 2007) is an independent film and digital distribution company headquartered in Los Angeles, specializing in championing eclectic, thought‑provoking entertainment from around the world, bringing bold indie films to major streaming platforms.

 

Rising Sun supports filmmakers by securing access to global digital outlets, coordinating festival and platform strategies, and managing distribution logistics without burdening creators with upfront costs. The company is known for building bridges between niche voices and wider audiences, maintaining a reputation for integrity and curation in the independent film space. For more information, visit RisingSunMediaInc.com.