In the Eye of the Wild

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On August 25, 2015, a violent encounter unfolds between a bear and anthropologist Nastassja Martins in the remote Kamchatka Mountains, blurring the lines between human and animal realms. This event becomes a transformative experience, merging mythical and real time, and leading to both physical and spiritual rebirth. As an anthropologist, Martins has engaged deeply with the Gwich'in of Alaska and the Evens of Siberia, striving to bridge gaps between different experiences and forms of knowledge. However, her harrowing encounter with the bear triggers a series of disasters, leaving her severely injured and requiring multiple surgeries in a provincial Russian hospital, overseen by a grim chief surgeon. Upon returning to France for further treatment, she faces even more complications. Ultimately, Martins realizes she must return to Kamchatka to understand her transformation into a miedka—a being that embodies both human and animal qualities. This journey is essential for her to continue her anthropological work and explore the complexities of existence and identity.