Journey of Papua New Guineans in Russia. 2020
Channel: Miklouho-Maclay Foundation
Date: 16/04/2020

The journey of Papua New Guineans in Russia ( 2020 Miklouho-Maclay Foundation).
Description:
This documentary is an essay film about the historic visit of a  Papua New Guinean delegation to Russia in October-November 2018 and their acquaintance with the homeland of the outstanding Russian humanist and scientist Nikolay Miklouho-Maclay, who launched several scientific expeditions to the New Guinea Island at the end of the 19th century. This fascinating journey to Saint-Petersburg and Moscow in the company of the descendant and namesake of the great traveler, Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay Jr., is bound to strike a very real chord with all viewers. You will see the emotions of our guests who were deeply impressed by the majestic historical sights of Saint-Petersburg and Moscow.  You will find out what Russian cuisine and traditional Papua New Guinean cuisine have in common. Together with our guests, you will take a stroll along the streets of the two capitals, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Hermitage, the Red Square, and the Moscow State University, where the PNG team had an opportunity to meet and socialize with Russian students. You will see with how much emotion and cordiality ordinary Russians welcomed our guests in the streets – a whole new world for our friends, unraveling in an entirely different dimension and upending all their previously held perceptions of it. 
After watching the film, the viewers will also learn what Papua New Guineans think about Russia and what we, Russian citizens, know about that distant country and the people who live there.  And why have so few Russians ever visited Papua New Guinea? Our travelers will tell you how and why their perceptions and beliefs about Russia changed after their visit.
The film demonstrates how much the people of Papua New Guinea cherish the memory of our compatriot, the humanist and scientist Nikolay Miklouho-Maclay, who became a hero for many New Guineans back in 1871 after his first expedition to the distant shores of the North-East of New Guinea.
You will learn about the history of relations between our countries and the achievements of Russian researchers in the 19th-21st  centuries, who carried out ethnographic research of this region, and you will see how actively and fruitfully the Russia – Papua New Guinea relations are developing today thanks to the efforts of public figures, diplomats and researchers of both сountries.
The film Papua New Guineans’ Journey to Russia is not just about the young Papua New Guineans’ visit to Russia as such. It is about the mutual interest of the peoples of both countries that doesn’t fade away. It is about the bond that did not get severed, but grows stronger and stronger with every passing year, across the continents and through the centuries,
Even though Russia might seem like a country of freezing colds and harsh climate, Papua New Guineans will find the warmest and most hospitable welcome among the locals. The film ends with the main characters setting off on their homeward journey and sharing their most touching and profound impressions. The Papua New Guineans, as well as Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay Jr., will embrace the significance of this historic visit to Russia, the visit that Miklouho-Maclay Sr.haddreamt so much about. And his dream has finally come true.

Synopsis:
A documentary film about the historic visit of Papua New Guineans and their acquaintance with the homeland of the outstanding scientist and traveler Nikolay Miklouho-Maclay, who introduced their own country to the whole world. A descendant and full namesake of Nikolay Nikolaevich Miklouho-Maclay, the founder and  Director of the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation, becomes their guide in Russia. The visit was organized by the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation with the support of the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Journey Papua New Guineans in Russia. 2020
Country: Russia
Genre: documentary
Running time: approx. 26 minutes
Subject: Essay film
Location: Russia, Papua New Guinea
Language: English, Russian
Directed by Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay
Original idea by Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay
Screenplay by Elena Nupreichik
Camera operators: Alexei Bogdanov, Evgenii Bogatov
Music by Sergei Potekhin
Edited by Aleksandr Snegirev


We thank our friends and partners for their support.
Technical support by SONY.
The film was created with the support of the “ST. PETERSBURG COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE