Filming in Kazakhstan

We traveled to Kazakhstan in the steps of Ülo Sooster, focusing on our visit to the village of Dolinka, which was once part of the Karlag (Karaganda Corrective Labor Camp) system.

Dolinka village, Kazakhstan

During our visit to the Gulag Memorial Museum in Dolinka, we attempted to find Ülo Sooster's prisoner case, which was marked secret and remained inaccessible to us. This village is where Ülo met his wife, and today it presents a unique demographic - half the village consists of descendants of prisoners, while the other half are descendants of former guards.

Exhibition building where Ülo and Lydia presumably met

Museum interior and exhibits

Our journey was not without challenges. We narrowly escaped a severe storm while leaving Karaganda, being among the last to depart before conditions became impossible. This experience gave us a small glimpse into the harsh conditions that prisoners like Ülo Sooster endured in this unforgiving landscape.

The research was made possible with the help of several individuals who assisted us during our time in Kazakhstan, including Berik Muratovich Akhmetjanov and others who supported our documentary project.

Research documentation

This visit to Kazakhstan forms an important part of our ongoing documentary work about Ülo Sooster, helping us understand both the historical context and personal experiences that shaped his life during the Soviet era.