Secrets of the Tribe (2010, documentary) - Padilha's superb anthropology documentary

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1 Film Excess win:

Best Documentary   

1 Film Excess nomination:

Best Documentary (won)

 

An ominous poster for José Padilha's Secrets of the Tribe

 

Secrets of the Tribe looks into the controversy arisen by Patrick Tierney's book Darkness in El Dorado (2000), which raises grave accusations against prominent Western anthropologists concerning their involvements with the indigenous Yanomamö people in the Amazon.

Secrets of the Tribe is a phenomenal example of how to make a documentary of this kind. It deals with relatively intellectual and complex content; scientific research conducted decades ago, ideals of science and research in general, references in many directions, a large gallery of subjects and their conflicts. From the dethroned, megalomaniacal Napoleon Chagnon, who stands out as resourceful and intelligent, - but also monstrous, - to criminal Jacques Lizot, through Claude Lévi-Strauss, Kenneth Good and more peripheral characters, Secrets of the Tribe presents a fascinating and quite disturbing look-in at the world of indigenous anthropology. It raises a critical and keen debate of the discipline to a higher level, where it is the legitimacy of modern science as a whole that is really up for debate.

Secrets of the Tribe is directed by Brazilian master filmmaker José Padhilha (Elite Squad/Tropa de Elite (2007)).

 

Related posts:

 

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]

2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

A still of Chagnon with a Yanomami Indian

LA Times critic Kenneth Turan sings his praise for the film here

Cost: Unknown

Box office: Unknown

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[Secrets of the Tribe premiered January 22 (Sundance) and runs 110 minutes. It was shot in Brazil, Venezuela and the US as a co-production between 11 companies and institutions. It was screened at 5 US festivals in total and at 1 Polish, as well as on various TV channels. 260 IMDb users have given Secrets of the Tribe a 7.5/10 average rating.]

What do you think of Secrets of the Tribe?