The Eagle Huntress

In select theaters
October 28^th 2016

87 minutes

Kazakh

United Kingdom
Mongolia
U.S.A.

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS follows Aisholopan, 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, and rises to the pinnacle of a tradition that has been handed down from father to son for centuries. While there are many old Kazakh eagle hunters who vehemently reject the idea of any female taking part in their ancient tradition, Aisholpan’s father Nurgaiv believes that a girl can do anything a boy can, as long as she’s determined. After months of training her eagle with her father, Aisholpan is ready to test her abilities. She enters a renowned competition, the Golden Eagle Festival, and faces off against 70 of the greatest Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia.

starring...

Aisholpan

Herself

Nurgaiv

Himself

Almagul

Herself

Dalaikhan

Himself

Daisy Ridley

Narrator

Director

Otto Bell

Producer

Otto Bell, Stacey Reiss, Sharon Chang

Editor

Pierre Takal

Director of Photography

Simon Niblett

Composer

Jeff Peters

Executive Producer

Daisy Ridley, Morgan Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick

98% on the CINEMETER

97% - Oct 9, 2016

Absolutely superb. What a winner! Everyone should see this film, especially young girls. Thrilling to see the landscape and its people in a way of life so different from ours. I can't wait to tell my nieces about this film, they will love it.
San Francisco Member

Spectacular love between the parents and child was beautiful. Amazing cinematography. This movie is the reason I love the Sunday Cinema Club, as I would never go to a theater to see it, but that would be a mistake.
San Francisco Member

There can never be enough films like this: the constrictions for freedom of choice for all females just continues to impede human progress. Bravo to these filmmakers. My only complaint: the soundtrack was heavy-handed, though Sia's ending song was powerful.
San Francisco Member

Astonishing imagery from the cinematographer - conveying the cold slippery ice, the rockiness of the amazing landscape, and very positive use of drone cameras. The editor deserves a special award for perfection.
San Francisco Member

I think a small amount of heavy-handed or saccharine artistic choices were a small price to pay for the opportunity to share the experience and story of this film with a much larger audience.
San Francisco Member

Who would imagine a film in the Mongolian steppes about eagle hunting to be so moving, beautiful and humorous? I am a high school student and I plan on writing a review for my school newspaper.
San Francisco Member

Aisholpan for President!
San Francisco Member

STL

97% - Oct 16, 2016

The landscape was gorgeous and forbidding. The story was one of triumph for the girl and the eaglet—not so much for the fox. It was also the story of a young girl's adoring relationship with her father.
St. Louis Member

Made me cry with joy for parents who let their children be who they want to be!
St. Louis Member

The cinematography was absolutely amazing! I laughed, I cried. Always the sign of time well spent. It was interesting "learning" about another people—and their practices to survive. The father/daughter relationship was an example to be held up to ALL people.
St. Louis Member

I loved this film! Its gentleness and articulation are a welcoming antidote to our rude and uncivil culture in the U.S. today. It ws breathtaking in photography, family values, importance of being self and knowing when to do right: to honor our sense of balance with the natural world.
St. Louis Member

Truly inspirational! A testament to what is good in human nature, in relationship to the earth, to family, between generations and between genders.
St. Louis Member

Powerful! Stunning film. Participants extraordinarily photogenic. Native attire beautiful. A perfect visual adventure. Aisholpan's drive is admirable (she is who she is); that she has been successful to such a level is even more admirable. Remember also that she had a special bird to work with and an experienced father to train her. Bravo to all!

St. Louis Member

Powerful! Stunning film. Participants extraordinarily photogenic. Native attire beautiful. A perfect visual adventure. Aisholpan's drive is admirable (she is who she is); that she has been successful to such a level is even more admirable. Remember also that she had a special bird to work with and an experienced father to train her. Bravo to all!
St. Louis Member

ATL

100% - Oct 30, 2016

Outstanding film, gorgeous in every way! Loved this and will recommend to everyone.
Atlanta Member

Most magnificent cinematography ever! [Also "What ASTONISHING cinematography!"
"I'd love to see this in IMAX"--many comments like this.)
Atlanta Member

87 minutes of joy. The cold, clear air and the un-cynical characters thoroughly refreshed us. Beautiful to look at and invigorating to enter this world. The relationships between father and daughter and nature, with love, but without coddling, seemed so healthy and so unusual. [MANY positive comments on the father-daughter relationship.]
Atlanta Member

This is a stunningly beautiful, lovingly rendered portrait of a unique girl, family and culture that most of us will never see. A deeply engaging story--I loved it!
Atlanta Member

Aisholopan--the most courageous, yet angelic character i have ever experienced on film. Astounding in every way. A precious relationship between the girl and the eagle!!
Atlanta Member

Inspiring! Empowering! UPLIFTING!
Atlanta Member

MIL

98% - Oct 9, 2016

Musical score was great and very effective for the documentary. Interesting story, one you would never encounter other than on film.
Milwaukee Member

Spectacular photography. Fascinating glimpse of Kazakh culture in Mongolia.
Milwaukee Member

Beautiful! Great music.
Milwaukee Member

Loved the film! I can't imagine the challenges of making it.
Milwaukee Member

Beautifully made documentary. Very inspirational.
Milwaukee Member

BOS

99% - Oct 9, 2016

An Exquisite and Exotic glimpse into another world.
Boston Member

Stunning. The photography reaffirms belief in humanity. Love the family dynamic.
Boston Member

This is why I joined the Cinema club. Its a movie I wouldn't have chosen to see, but I loved learning all about a life style and culture I knew nothing about. Having once held an eagle, I cannot understand how a young girl had the strength and stamina to accomplish what she did. And amazing accomplishment. A movie well worth seeing."
Boston Member

A wonderful movie to inspire young women and girls. The fact that the family was supportive was a surprise."
Boston Member

Fabulous Documentary. Opened a wonderful snapshot of a world for me.
Boston Member

Exquisite cinematography and imagery depicting the realization of a young Kazack girl's destiny. A well crafted story with arresting imagery. Poignant warmth between father and daughter and droll humor.
Boston Member

If you accept it as a constructed documentary it is artfully done--comparable to other "girl break out" films like 'Wadjda' or 'Queen of Katwe.' Great story telling. Loved the cinematography-- the landscape itself is a character. Brilliantly done. I look at this film as "in-between" art form--if you accept the purpose as portraying a point of view , it uses "real" material, but it is to compose a story with a point."
Boston Member

96% - Oct 9, 2016

What a beautiful movie! This is why I love the Sunday Cinema Club!
Greater New Haven Member

This eagle of a movie is sharply observed, tuned in to the tiny details of sound, and not afraid of life and death. It soars and lands gently on our arms and hearts (if a bit predictably). Would make a great double feature with WHALE RIDER – for 12-year-old girls’ birthday parties – but also for their elders!
Greater New Haven Member

I loved the remoteness of the terrain and the desolate nature. The child huntress’ simple nature was emphasized by the starkness of the environment
Greater New Haven Member

Wonderful exposure to another culture. Inspirational. Demonstrates importance of father in daughter’s life, also wonderful mother. Beautiful. (Note: many cards echoed these praises. The word ‘inspirational’ appeared often.)
Greater New Haven Member

A fascinating look at another culture. The mix of ancient customs and modernity was remarkable.
Greater New Haven Member

A wonderful accounting of a young girl’s interest and goal coming to a successful fruition in the face of tradition. A strong father-daughter relationship so beautifully shown. Many shots where they ride together as a team to achieve their goals. The aerial shots of a barren landscape and the daily life captured well the setting and way of life. One of my favorite documentaries.
Greater New Haven Member

The cinematography, sound, and music were breathtaking. The story, although predictable, was nonetheless gripping and satisfying. (Note: many praises for the cinematography.)
Greater New Haven Member

A feast for the eye, the ear, the spirit!
Greater New Haven Member

The stuff of fairy tales and legends.
Greater New Haven Member

Not knowing what to expect, this was a delight. Father/daughter relationship was heartfelt. Her smile could have melted the snow. Thanks, Cinema Club. Would not have seen it if not for you. Will recommend it!
Greater New Haven Member

Groundbreaking! So good for audiences to be introduced to this culture, this family. Can’t wait to recommend it to my grandgirls.
Greater New Haven Member

I did not think there is acting as much as family storytelling. Much better than I thought after reading about it online yesterday. I am so glad I came because I witnessed another culture of truth, beauty, family, environment and so much more. Just WONDERFUL!!
Greater New Haven Member

What an exceptional – and enviable – family, especially in light of traditional restrictive cultures. Their joy was lovely! Ranks with THE LUNCHBOX, against which we judge your other – almost always – wonderful selections. Thank you!
Greater New Haven Member

The beauty of the relationships, scenery, cinematography, and story transcended culture and provided a universal message of equality and hope.
Greater New Haven Member

This is why I love film! Films like this take me to places I’ve never been or never will be exposed to, and teach me about the world. This was truly an experience I won’t soon forget.
Greater New Haven Member

96% - Oct 9, 2016

An incredible saga to inspire a generation of girls/women everywhere to aspire to their interests and potential despite social and cultural norms. A life lesson for the young.
Washington, DC Member

A beautiful film that I never would have seen had it not be shown in the film club. Just absolutely transporting -- felt as if I was soaring with the eagle through the most beautiful imagery.
Washington, DC Member

A wonderful representation of the people and life of this amazing part of the world. It is a difficult and unforgiving place and the people are wonderful (I have been to Mongolia)
Washington, DC Member

Nice to finally see a Mongolian feminist film.
Washington, DC Member

Beautiful film - inspiring for girls everywhere. Such a rare window into an extant nomadic culture- truly fascinating.

The music was also beautiful.
Washington, DC Member

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