Skip to footer

'The Eagle Huntress' is too slick but heroine triumphs over movie's excesses

( G ) ( Monitor Movie Guide )

'Huntress' centers on 13-year-old Aisholpan, who is the first female in 12 generations of her Outer Mongolian family to participate in eagle hunting.

|
Asher Svidensky/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Aisholpan in a scene from the movie 'The Eagle Huntress.'
  • By Peter Rainer Film critic

The eponymous heroine of Otto Bell’s documentary “The Eagle Huntress” is 13-year-old Aisholpan, the first female in 12 generations of her Outer Mongolian family to participate in this practice.

The film, some of which looks staged, is too slick, and its feminist emphasis, complete with Australian performer Sia singing “You can do anything” on the soundtrack, grates. But Aisholpan triumphs over these excesses. How do you say “You go girl” in Kazakh? Grade: B (Rated G.)

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
What is the Monitor difference? Tackling the tough headlines – with humanity. Listening to sources – with respect. Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. That’s Monitor reporting – news that changes how you see the world.
Subscribe
QR Code to 'The Eagle Huntress' is too slick but heroine triumphs over movie's excesses
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2016/1028/The-Eagle-Huntress-is-too-slick-but-heroine-triumphs-over-movie-s-excesses
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe