Debut director Otto Bell’s “The Eagle Huntress,” released with a presentation imprimatur and voice-over by “The Force Awakens”’ Daisy Ridley, portrays the life of Aisholpan, a thirteen-year-old girl, a Mongolian nomad in the Altai Mountains of eastern Kazakhstan, who yearns for a career that for all history belonged to men. Her father, Nurgaiv, comes from a long line of eagle hunters, and the father-daughter dynamic is ever-present. Some scenes come across as designed rather than captured. But the spectacular scenery and feats of flight, the true stars of the film, push that unease aside. Cinematographer Simon Niblett captures vital beauty with exceptional vigor, not limited to a rash of scenes captured through drone technology. 87m. (Ray Pride)
“The Eagle Huntress” opens Friday, November 11 at Landmark Century and other screens.
Ray Pride is Newcity’s Senior Editor and Film Critic. He is a contributing editor of Filmmaker magazine.
Ray’s history of Chicago Ghost Signs is planned for publication next year. Previews of the project are on Twitter and on Instagram. More photography on Instagram.
Talking Screens, August 19-25, 2022: The Joys of Girl Picture | The Importance of Alma's Rainbow | The Power of Prey In Chicago: Ayoka Chenzira's 1994 coming-of-age comedy-drama "Alma's Rainbow; the Finnish "Girl Picture;" one more chance to see Wong Kar-wai's "In The Mood For Love;" "Parting Glances" set during the early stages of the AIDS crisis with Steve Buscemi in an early lead; "Marie Antoinette;" "City Of God;" and Chicago Film Society brings back the rarely seen "Livin' Large." Reeling…
