THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Review

If you look up the definition of “girl-power” in the dictionary, there will be a picture of this young woman: Aisholpan Nurgaiv- Eagle Huntress.

Sony Pictures Classics latest release, THE EAGLE HUNTRESS, tells the amazing and powerful story of 13-year old Aisholpan and her family of traditional nomadic Kazakh people of the Altai Mountains, set against the magnificent and awe inspiring beauty of the Mongolian steppe.

For generations, Kazakhs have traditionally used eagles for hunting small game to feed and clothe their families. And part of that tradition is that eagle hunters are always men. But Aisholpan longs to join in this tradition after years of watching her father with his eagle. And lucky for her (and us), her father has no problem breaking tradition to help Aisholpan follow her heart.

Directed by Otto Bell, THE EAGLE HUNTRESS is Bell’s first feature length documentary. Up until this, he had traveled the globe making branded content short documentaries. But after seeing a photo of Aisholpan taken by Israeli photographer Asher Svidensky, Bell knew in his gut there was a story to be told – “I knew that somewhere in the world this girl was out there walking around. There was a film that needed to be made about her, and I wanted to be the one to make it.” So he went to Mongolia to find her.

Now going to Mongolia isn’t like going to Canada or Europe. It’s a remote and wild corner of the world that not many people even know exists, let alone travel to, but the undeterred Bell and his 3-man crew set out to film this awe-inspiring story.

Part Rocky, part Karate Kid, you can’t help but fall in love and fiercely root for Aisholpan as she enters the traditionally men-only annual Golden Eagle Festival to face off against 70 of the greatest Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia, who vehemently reject the idea of any female taking part in their ancient tradition. The competition has 2 rounds that test the both the eagle and its handler’s skill and precision in tracking down and hitting specific targets, both moving and stationary. And if you think the 13-year old is intimidated, think again. In one of the films more exciting sequences, Aisholpan is first laughed at when she shows up to enter the competition, and then puts her magnificent bird through its paces. But it’s not only the bird – Aisholpan rides her horse with one hand, the other holding the 20+ pound eagle better than any stunt woman (or man for that matter) in the world.

Here is where director Bell and cinematographer Simon Niblett shine. With such a tiny budget and crew, they used drones to capture aerial shots of the vast landscape that is otherwise inaccessible.

During a recent trip to Los Angeles to promote the film, director Otto Bell and Aisholpan sat down with me to talk about the film. “As tough as the shoot was, considering the remoteness of the location, we knew that using the drones would be the most un-intrusive way of capturing the beauty of not only the landscape, but of these proud people and their culture.”

Meeting Aisholpan was one of the bigger thrills I’ve experienced. I geeked out like a fangirl. Now a shy and reserved 15-year old, she is warm and friendly when you meet her, despite the language barrier. When I asked Aisholpan about the close bond she has with her bird, she told me that the eagle is treated as part of the family. Except when she is at school, she spends most of her time training the bird, feeding and caring for it. But eagle hunting is only one important part of who she is. She wants to be a doctor someday and is studying hard in preparation to continue her education and go to college. She also encourages other girls to pursue eagle hunting if that’s what they want, and now they have her to look to as a role model – something she is happy to be.

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS is narrated by Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), executive produced by Ridley and Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), and produced by Stacy Reiss, Sharon Chang and Otto Bell. The director of photography is Simon Niblett, the editor is Pierre Takal. Be sure to stay for the end credits which features a stirring end credits song, “Angel by the Wings,” by Sia.

5 out of 5 stars

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS opens in St. Louis November 18th