Ainu Fever

 Roma Shatrov is the founder of the Silent Cape Nature Park in Sakhalin. Irina Grudova identifies as Ainu, an indigenous group on Sakhalin. Roma is obsessed with Ainu history and culture and has dedicated the Silent Cape to revitalizing their tradition. Irina is a local Ainu activist and is skeptical of such outsiders looking to exploit her heritage. Yet Roma and Irina instantly hit it off and formed a strong bond over their mutual love of the Ainu. Rusana Novikova brings us a story about the romanticism and self-discovery at the heart of Irina and Roma’s complicated friendship, and its potential promise for Ainu and Russian relations. “Ainu Fever” was written, produced and edited by Rusana Novikova. Sean Guillory did additional editing. Thanks to Roman Shatrov and Irina Grudova for participating. CREDITS (in order of appearance) Музыка неизвестного автора. Слова Леонида Петровича Радина. Исполняет хор артистов Московского государственного театра. Москва, 1917 год – «Смело, товарищи, в ногу!» Олег Митяев – Сахалин Эльдар Рязанов, Василий Катанян – Остров Сахалин (1954) Oki Kano – Drum Song Umeko Ando – Iyomante Upopo Oki Kano – Kai Kai As To Oki Kano – Live Performance in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan Umeko Ando – Hutare Chui (Repeat the Mantra Remix) Oki Dub Ainu Band – Sakhalin Rock