The Eagle Huntress

[midian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfi5JS6HTH0[/media]

Saw this yest, Sat. 10 dec.

ostenisbly a very basic documentary rites of passage story about Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle hunter.

i didn't go in with high expectation, tbh. but i loved it.

but it is stunningly shot, caputuring so much from small facial expressions, family concerns and community disaproval to a cold barren landscape that made me think hell must look like the mongolian steppes. i think most of the time i had a huge grin on my face (when i wasn't shuddering at the landscape).

so many times i thought i would just burst into tears of joy... and then sorrow as it is quite an emotional ride but not cloying or sentimental.

am just full of superlatives. will make my top 3 of the year.

9/10.

[ladams888]

Saw this in a half-full Wimbledon Odeon yesterday. I was absolutely mesmerized by this film – the cinematography completely blew me away. I loved the story of Aisholpan the Mongolian teenager who, against tradition, wanted to be a female Eagle Hunter and win the coveted top award at the annual Golden Eagle Contest. We watched the blossoming relationship between Aisholpan and her father, who, despite 12 generations of his family having only male eagle hunters, was keen to teach her the tricks of the trade. We witnessed the prejudices of the older Eagle Hunters who came up with no end of excuses why Aisholpan couldn’t be an Eagle Hunter; and even when she did compete, how the older men said that, because she was female, she would have to outperform the men!

I found myself being swept away by the stark scenery, the beauty of the eagles, the suspense of the competition and the genuine warmth and love which emanated from Aisholpan’s family. I think everyone else in the auditorium felt the same because at one point in the middle of the film, we all burst into spontaneous applause!

I would think a lot of the film would have had to have been recreated after the event – as the film-makers only heard of Aisholpan afterwards – but even that didn’t deter from the beauty of the film. A truly wonderful, heart-warming film – a bit Disneyesque at times, but, in view of the beautiful cinematography, I think we can forgive them that. 10/10

[Florence1]

I watched this at a 90% full Crouch End picturehouse. I knew it was a documentary but did not know what to expect. The cinematography was stunning showing the wonderful Mongolian stark landscape and the story was a simple one of a girl wanting to be an eagle huntress. I was totally absorbed in the story and how the family lived and the father's determination that his daughter should succeed. A nice easy watch with a happy ending. 7/10

[Noorjahapatel]

If I'd have realised this was a documentary, I don't think I'd have gone to see it, which played out well as I really enjoyed it. I loved the scenery and the elders not wanting a girl to succeed as an eagle Huntress. I loved the family support. I loved the determination. I didn't know how to feel about them capturing a wild bird and hunting wolves. A great watch.

[fillumboy2]

What a wonderful film!

Heart-warming, inspiring and beautiful.

Don't know how much of a release this is going to get, but if you get the chance to see it, just go!

[ejwrank]

I thought this was a lovely film. How amazing was that young girl who guided her horse over icy mountains with one hand with a massive eagle perched on the other ...talk about talented and fearless!

And we had a little FMUK reunion there with cinefila1, moondance and prettyxcool and me all in a row together.

[alythonian]

I saw this in Edinburgh yesterday morning at a busy screening.
All the kids sat transfixed as well. Subtitles didn't seem to cause anyone any issues, so transfixed were we all by thus marvellous film.
Spectacular scenery and a fabulous girl and her very modern minded family. The Old blokes' faces at the end were a picture.
Thus is out on a Friday and I'd highly recommend it to one snd all.
Powerful and influential.
10/10

[prettyxcool]

This is a delightful film about a 13 year old wanting to be an Eagle Hunter like her grandfather and father before her. The aerial scenery is stunning. A really good insight into the Kazakh nomad life, and I liked her quiet determination to prove the traditional nomads wrong that a female is not strong or capable enough to be an eagle hunter, and some of the comments and reactions from them are quite amusing. Some scenes did feel staged, but nevertheless, the father's love and support for his child is very moving and the bravery and strength of the young girl is inspiring. Really enjoyed this docufilm. 9/10

Lovely to see so many FMUKers this morning at Central Picturehouse. We all managed to sit in one row cinefila1, moondance, ejwrank, and behind us, snowwhite.

[midian]

i had read that some scenes were staged. but according to the director they weren't. he did just happen to turn up when Aisholpan was off the capture her first eaglet. he describes the horrors of filming that.

and the ending scenes

Spoiler

Show

where they capture a fox

took 22 days in -50degrees.

his story is interesting too. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/d ... t-89306065

i revise my 9/10 to full marks: 10/10.

[Jolin21]

Really enjoyed the documentary!
Especially during scenes which showed the deep father-daughter relationship, the tension and unfavourable looks from the other competitors, the interviews with the other male participants who disagreed with female participation. The film really took me through the feelings and situation well.

I say, it's a must-watch!