![]() ![]() Through the lens of big-game hunting, “Trophy” tells a story of man versus beast, which is really the story of humankind. In this film, “It’s the cycle of life,” is repeated so often that it loses all meaning. Breeding animals to kill them for sport keeps enough alive so they don’t become extinct. For rare species, regulation brings commodification - and with that, profits (some argue) that go directly into conservation. In countries with no hunting regulation, animals have not fared well. “Trophy” unearths layers of an issue much more complex than even the filmmakers initially believed. READ MORE: ‘Whose Streets?’ Review: Ferguson Doc Shows the Birth of Black Lives Matter With Unrelenting Power - Sundance 2017 Or heard the mournful bleats of a baby rhino as he runs erratic circles around the body of his dead mother. Or the look on a child’s face as he collects entrails from the carcass of an elephant his father has just hacked to bits with an axe. Never before have you seen a 20-foot crocodile writhing to break free of a lasso around its neck, its twisting tail sending wheelbarrows flying. But beware: This is not your mother’s nature documentary. While the subjects are compelling, the wildlife scenes are the film’s crowning achievement. Courtesy of Christina Clusiau / Reel Peak Films Having had the experience, he says, he can’t imagine why anyone would choose to do it, much less pay for it. On occasion, Moore has had to shoot an animal who is causing problems. If a person loses their livelihood, Moore explains, they turn to poaching to make a living. His story intersects with the local people whose crops are trampled by elephants, and whose cattle are eaten by lions. While Schwarz and Clusiau clearly take a stance, one reason “Trophy” works is it’s willing to explore the uncomfortable grey areas like Chris Moore, a wildlife officer and anti-poacher based in Zimbabwe. ![]() “Crocodiles are mean, so I don’t feel bad about killing them,” she jokes. ![]() One woman jokes that hunting lost her favor in the eyes of her granddaughter. At massive auctions, hunters bid for their kills, and are even able to choose the exact animal. Inside the Safari Club Convention in Las Vegas, people are less eloquent about their hobby. READ MORE: The 2017 IndieWire Sundance Bible: Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |