Skip to main content

The Eagle Huntress (2016)


Plot Summary: The film follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old Kazakh girl from Mongolia, as she trains to become the first female eagle hunter in twelve generations of her family. Set against the breathtaking expanse of the Mongolian steppe, the documentary captures her journey to compete in the annual Golden Eagle Festival and her rise within this male-dominated tradition.

Director: Otto Bell

Starring:
Aisholpan Nurgaiv as Herself
Rys Nurgaiv as Himself
Daisy Ridley as Narrator

 Freddy's Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

Mixed Feelings and Authenticity Concerns

Ok, it seems I got a bit derailed on my trip to Kazakhstan, and today I ended up in Mongolia. But, we are following a Kazakh family that's been into eagle hunting for 12 generations. (I only know three generations before me in my family! Such white trash). Eagle hunting is amazing and unbelievable. But what's really unbelievable is this movie. Towards the middle, I started getting fishy vibes that began to ruin it for me. This documentary feels partially fake and like a big publicity stunt. Everything is just too perfect for a cameraman to catch, especially during the hunting scene. And about Aisholpan being the first female eagle hunter, a quick look into Wikipedia reveals that's not entirely true. So, I have really mixed feelings about this story. Did she really break a speed record? Was that gold genuine? Or did it just happen because Otto Bell wanted to make a movie empowering women, inspired by Sia's song "Unstoppable"? I feel like someone is tricking me, and I hate that. And Mr. Otto, that song is really lame to use in this movie. Some throat singing would be way better.


Cinematography and Cultural Highlights

But let's focus on the positives now. The cinematography is stunning: the eagles, the costumes, the people, and the deserted land surrounded by the Altai mountains are all captured beautifully. The fighting scene between the eagle and the fox is pretty epic, though I bet PETA doesn't approve of this movie. What these nomadic tribes have accomplished with their eagle training—the art and beauty involved—makes me forgive the fact that they snatch eagle babies from their mothers. And I had no idea a three-month-old golden eagle already looks huge! Another thing that comes to mind every time I see Mongolia, a place that looks like such a deserted place, is how the hell did that crazy Genghis Khan come out of there and almost conquer the whole world? Pretty crazy stuff.


Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Anyway, I haven't much to say about this movie because I felt fooled. I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't a documentary. Don't mistake me for one of those misogynist old guys who think women belong in the kitchen milking cows (that's what they do in their Mongolian kitchens 😏). It's just that everything is too perfect to be believable. That also made for a boring movie in the end. It's worth it for the images and scenery of the eagle hunters, but I wouldn't show this movie to my daughters with the intention of making them believe in themselves because I would feel like I was tricking them. I can smell bullshit from a long distance, from Portugal to Mongolia. Another good outcome from the movie is that it would be a dream for me to one day travel to Mongolia and experience a golden eagle festival live. That would be amazing, and if you want to sponsor that, here's my PayPal email: freddyscineit@gmail.com. Nice try, Freddy.


🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

The eagles, costumes, people, and the deserted land surrounded by the Altai mountains are captured beautifully. The visuals are stunning.

📖 Story (3/10):

The story has potential but feels undermined by the perceived inauthenticity. The narrative's empowering message is overshadowed by doubts about its truthfulness.

🎬 Direction (4/10):

Otto Bell's direction effectively captures the cultural aspects of eagle hunting but feels too staged at times, which detracts from the documentary's credibility.

👥 Characters (5/10):

Aisholpan and her family are compelling subjects, but the portrayal feels a bit too perfect, raising questions about authenticity.

💥 Visual Effects (N/A):

Not applicable. 5 points to balance it out.

🎭 Acting (5/10):

Not applicable. 5 points to balance it out.

💬 Dialogue (5/10):

Little girl wants to do man's stuff, big man says no. Girl does it anyway, and wins. Hurray! That's it.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (10/10):

The stunning landscapes of Mongolia and the cultural richness of eagle hunting are beautifully depicted.

🎵 Music (4/10):

Drums driven music = good. Pop music = bad.

😄 Entertainment Value (5/10):

The film is visually impressive but falls short on authenticity, making it less engaging. It feels more like a staged event than a genuine documentary.

Our blog is currently being updated regularly!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...

A Quick Hiatus, But I've Got an Exciting Offer for You!

Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well! I just wanted to drop in and let you know that unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with the movie reviews for a while. The reason? I've just launched my brand-new website (which is super exciting!), and right now, I'm putting all my energy into building my business and helping clients. I've got my hands full, but I'll be back with movie reviews soon enough! I appreciate your understanding and patience. That being said, if you're thinking about starting your own business, I've got an offer that might just be the push you need to get things rolling! Have you thought about starting your own business? How about a free website to finally turn that idea into reality? At SOS Design, we're offering a One Page website valued at $863 to help entrepreneurs like you take their first step online! 🔹 Entries open until April 30th 🎉 Winner announced on May 1st! Don't miss this opportunity! Participate now...

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...