Even with all the technology and means to travel nowadays, most people still can get stuck living in their little bubble, unaware of ways of life outside their immediate vicinity.
It’s bad enough inside our own country, where someone growing up in California can have a vastly different education, viewpoint or life experience than someone growing up in Oklahoma.
The differences in where or how other people live across the globe can be eye-opening, so it’s nice to occasionally be treated to glimpses of other cultures through works like the 2016 film The Eagle Huntress.
Directed by Otto Bell and narrated by Daisy Ridley of Star Wars fame, The Eagle Huntress is a documentary that follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl from Mongolia who dreams of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming an eagle huntress, someone who uses an eagle to hunt for food and pelts during the harsh Mongolian winters. Eagle hunting is historically done by men, and, although her family has a long history of being successful hunters, her wish is met with skepticism amongst those outside her family, as there have been no other female eagle hunters in the country’s history. From becoming the first girl to enter the Golden Eagle Festival, an annual competition in Mongolia for fellow eagle hunters to show off their skills, to her first foray into actual hunting, Aisholpan is tested repeatedly as she tries to make a name for herself.
The film is beautiful. Set in the Mongolian wilderness, the film treats us to breathtaking views of mountains and environments that people call their homes. Sweeping aerial shots capture the vast isolation of the area, which helps viewers realize that Aisholpan and her family don’t just hunt for sport. They do it to survive.
Many viewers have probably seen a film of this type, where someone perseveres in the face of adversity, so while the setting may be different, the story is one in which the audience is well-versed. Watching Aisholpan train and compete produces the type of anxiety that a close friend or family member would feel as they cheer for a loved one to succeed. Aisholpan herself is a determined and charismatic girl, making it even easier to cheer for her. It’s also heartwarming to watch her father support her so enthusiastically, even as his fellow eagle hunters look upon him with skepticism when he trains her.
While fascinating, the film feels, even at just 87 minutes, like it was stretched to fill the time and make it to feature length. Also, the story is well-tread territory, so even though it’s done well, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’ve seen this type of movie before, which can take away some of its impact.
Nevertheless, it is fascinating and inspiring to watch a 13-year-old girl make history and challenge the roles that her culture has placed on man and woman. She stays true to herself as she stands up for her passion and refuses to take no for an answer just because something has never been done before. This film is a highly recommended visual treat for the documentary lover.
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