Otto Bell

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS: A Beautiful Story, But Is It A Great Documentary?
THE EAGLE HUNTRESS: A Beautiful Story, But Is It A Great Documentary?

Otto Bell’s documentary The Eagle Huntress is empowering – even if it does frequently feel staged or exaggerated for dramatic effect.

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Trailer
THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Trailer

A girl holding an eagle is a cool image, and that’s pretty much the point of The Eagle Huntress, a family-friendly documentary that’s been charming viewers throughout its festival run. The film picks up the story of Aisholpan, a thirteen-year-old training in the male-dominated world of eagle hunting. She’s learning the skill from her father, and in doing so the pair are breaking the traditional patriarchal lineage.