Ailo's Journey

For a little reindeer like Ailo, the world is one big adventure! Born in the wild and majestic wilderness of Lapland, Ailo must set out with his herd on a dangerous journey through the frozen taiga, past imposing fjords and rugged mountains—a journey that will last an entire year. Every new day brings surprises for Ailo, but also dangers: he encounters arctic foxes, lemmings, eagles, wolves, squirrels, and stoats—harmless animals and those a little reindeer should be wary of. At his mother’s side, Ailo learns to survive and grows into a full-grown reindeer as his herd migrates through wild Lapland. "French biologist Guillaume Maidatchevsky observes a young reindeer in northern Lapland from birth through its first birthday. The film explores the relationship with his mother and the group dynamics within the herd; it depicts life in the harsh icy landscape and captures adventurous encounters with other animals, including wolves, lemmings, and a hilariously comical ermine. Through its “humanized” protagonists and a sometimes overly sentimental voice-over, the documentary approaches fictional territory, yet also serves as a passionate plea for greater sustainability and climate protection.” (Lexikon des Internationalen Films)