Rich is the Life

KEY POINTS

• Project: Rich is the Life
• Objective: To create a visually stunning and deeply human cinematic documentary on a limited budget.
• Subject: Marko Lauronen, a former Nokia employee turned Arctic gold prospector, exploring themes of mental health, resilience, and the natural world.
• Location: Arctic Circle
• Production: Filmed over two days with a self-funded budget of £5,000.
• Outcome: Critical acclaim, festival success, and prestigious awards.

THE CHALLENGE

The Arctic wilderness is a place of extremes—of breathtaking beauty and brutal isolation, where every moment feels suspended in time. This was the setting for Rich is the Life, a passion project that sought to capture the vanishing world of traditional gold prospecting while unearthing a profoundly human story.

We knew from the start that this couldn’t just be a story about gold. It had to be about what drives someone to leave behind everything familiar—their family, their career, their comforts—and embrace the raw, unforgiving wilderness. For six months, we searched for the right subject, someone who could bring authenticity and heart to the story. Many of the prospectors we spoke to were consumed by the glitter of wealth, but we needed something more.

Then we found Marko Lauronen. Marko wasn’t just a prospector—he was a poet of the Arctic. A former Nokia employee diagnosed with manic depression, he had left behind his life to pursue gold prospecting, not for riches, but for his love of nature and the traditions of a dying craft. Marko’s eloquence, passion, and openness were magnetic. He gave the story its soul.

The challenge lay not only in capturing Marko’s extraordinary journey but also in bringing the stark beauty of his environment to life—all within a self-funded budget of £5,000 and just two days of filming.

THE PLAN

We knew we had to distil a lifetime into a short, evocative film. With a combination of careful preparation and a deep commitment to storytelling, we crafted a plan to bring Marko’s world to the screen:

1. Human-Centred Storytelling: At the heart of the film was Marko’s vulnerability and passion. We captured candid interviews where he shared his reflections on mental health, resilience, and his connection to the natural world. His words became the thread that tied the story together.
2. Cinematic Majesty: The Arctic’s landscapes are a character in their own right. Using natural light and the haunting stillness of the wilderness, we shot sweeping vistas that mirrored the grandeur and isolation of Marko’s inner journey.
3. Efficient Precision: With just two days on location, every shot had to count. We meticulously planned the filming schedule, blending intimate moments of Marko at work with b-roll that immersed viewers in the rugged beauty of the Arctic.
4. Powerful Post-Production: Through thoughtful editing and sound design, we wove Marko’s story and the landscape into a seamless narrative, amplifying the emotional and visual impact of the film.

THE RESULTS

Rich is the Life surpassed all expectations, proving that powerful storytelling doesn’t require limitless resources—just limitless heart:

• Awards and Recognition:
  • Winner: Best Documentary & Best of the Festival – Manchester Lift-Off Festival
  • Winner: Best Short Documentary – London Independent Film Awards
  • Nominated: Best Documentary – Scandinavian International Film Festival (where it opened the festival)
  • Nominated: Jury Prize – Bolton Film Festival
  • Nominated: Best Documentary of the Season – International Lift-Off Festival
  • Nominated: Best Documentary – Amsterdam Lift-Off Festival
  • Nominated: Best Documentary – Kino International Film Festival
  • Nominated: Best Documentary – The Good Life Documentary Festival
• Festival Highlights: The film was screened at festivals worldwide, earning critical acclaim for its evocative visuals, emotional depth, and celebration of a dying art.