Jens Olof Lasthein's Meanwhile Across the Mountain (2009-2015) explores the Caucasus region, a complex borderland between Europe and Asia that has long been marked by socio-political turmoil. This area, once part of the Soviet Union, now consists of independent states and contested territories such as South Ossetia, Dagestan, and Chechnya. Through his panoramic, wide-angle compositions, Lasthein captures the daily lives of the region’s inhabitants, revealing the lasting impact of war, isolation, and political uncertainty. The project's thematic core lies in the interplay between identity, displacement, and resilience, portraying individuals caught in a space where the past lingers and the future remains uncertain.
Visually, Meanwhile Across the Mountain is distinguished by Lasthein’s use of a Widelux panoramic camera, producing a 140-degree wide-angle field of view that enhances the depth and complexity of his compositions. His technique often results in layered scenes, where multiple interactions unfold simultaneously, offering a dynamic and immersive perspective. The muted color palette, dominated by cool tones and subtle contrasts, reinforces the melancholic and somber atmosphere of the project. The occasional use of contre-jour lighting adds depth and starkness, emphasizing the isolation of his subjects within vast, desolate environments.
Lasthein’s methodology is rooted in intuitive shooting and close engagement with his subjects. His work is neither staged nor posed, relying instead on organic encounters and spontaneous moments to reflect the lived realities of the people in the region. He avoids the aestheticization of hardship, instead prioritizing truthfulness and empathy in his representation of the Caucasus. The panoramic format allows him to encapsulate entire social scenes within a single frame, echoing the cinematographic influences of directors like Sergio Leone and Akira Kurosawa.
The project has received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its unique documentary style and technical mastery. The series from Abkhazia, included in Meanwhile Across the Mountain, earned Lasthein the Leica Oskar Barnack Award in 2010. Works from the series have been exhibited at Galleri Kontrast, Stockholm (2017), and Fotoforum, Innichen/San Candido (2018), among other venues.