The Lion Hunters (La chasse au lion à l’arc)
Directed by Jean Rouch
1965/France
Comite du film Ethnographique/Les films de la Pleiade
First viewing/FilmStruck
[box] Do not try to fight a lion if you are not one yourself. -African Proverb[/box]
For those that can handle animal gore, this is a fascinating documentary about all aspects of a lion hunt, both ritual and practical.
Jean Rouch (The Mad Masters (1955)) documents customs of nomadic sub-Saharan cattleherders on the Niger-Mali border surrounding a lion hunt. Painstaking crafting of weapons and practice along with the rituals designed to ensure success are detailed.
I thought this was really interesting. I can’t figure out why The Book’s editors would choose the disgusting and staged Mad Masters for inclusion on the list over this one which feels very authentic. Warning: Not for the squeamish.
Trailer – no subtitles
