Originally from a small village in the Buryat region of Siberia, Irina Pantaeva emigrated to the U.S. in the 1980's. Every summer, Irina, a world-famous model, and her son travel back to help her troubled family, trapped in the new free market society struggling with alcoholism, lawlessness and despair. Through interviews with academics, local shamans, monks, musicians, and farmers, Siberian Dream shows the effects of perestroika and glasnost on this Buryat community.

The Buryats are trying to develop an open society while struggling to revive their culture. Irina and her family embody these efforts. Buryat-Mongols -- including the Pantaeva family -- practice Buddhism and Shamanism simultaneously. Irina celebrates her endangered Buryat-Mongol culture, teaching her son the importance of honoring their ancestors.

Dr. David Foglesong, Professor of Russian History at Rutgers, illuminates the effects of Russification and the events and personalities driving glasnost and perestroika. Dr. Robert Thurman, Professor of Religion at Columbia University and President of Tibet House, New York, discusses Tibetan Buddhism and history as it affected the Mongolian tribes to which the Buryats belong.

"We see how the effects of Soviet Communism, Russification, Glasnost, and the fall of Communism have all come, and gone, with a cost. Yet the Buriats have survived and their culture is now resurgent. All of this is interwoven with Irina’s personal story. The music goes hand in glove with the visuals, making this a delightful and informative production. Recommended." Michael Fein, Coordinator of Library Services, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VA, for Emro

"I just took a look at the film and was mezmorized by the story. This is truly original and inspiring." - Linden Chubin, Asia Society

"This wonderful project documenting Buryat history, culture, and religion, will be of great help for any and all people interested in better understanding the peoples of Russia and Central Asia."
Dr. Robert A.F. Thurman, President, Tibet House U.S., and Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University