Here are two interesting reviews of the film, “Secrets of the Tribe”, which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The story of how anthropologists engaged the Yanomamö over many decades makes for pretty good drama in a documentary. There are scandals (real and imagined) of every sort and the anthropology community continues to debate about the good and bad of the research and contact that has been made.
If you talk with the Yanomamö today, they are eager to add their voice to the mix. They have resented being treated like animals in a zoo and want their voice to be heard and their own feelings about their encounters with outside cultures to be respected. I believe that anthropologists like Dr. Napoleon Chagnon have done much to help us understand indigenous cultures like the Yanomamö. And, I believe that anthropology as a discipline has grown more sensitive to mistakes of the past. However, the average Yanomamö in the rainforest today still feels extremely isolated and without a voice in the debates.
Here are two links to reviews of José Padilha’s new documentary. We hope that its high profile at Sundance will encourage audiences to learn more and to listen carefully.
The Hollywood Reporter Film Review – Secrets of the Tribe
HitFix review of “Secrets of the Tribe”
Of course, our Yanomamö friends really want audiences to hear their story, as told in our film. You can order a DVD HERE.
I am interested in seeing this movie. I love the concept of the lens being turned on the observers. For more information about everyday indigenous life in the remote Peruvian Amazon and to see photos ALL taken by indigenous children, please visit ninosdelaamazonia.org
Thanks for the link Amy. I love the pictures and what you’re doing. I have spent a bit of time in the Iquitos area and my wife and son have done some medical work in communities there.
Thanks for sharing your life and hope for the children there. It reminds me of the Born Into Brothels project where kids in India were given cameras to document their lives. Also, you must know of Q’orianka Kilcher’s project to give cameras to kids in Peru.
Hope you are able raise awareness and make a difference. We’ll pass the word as we are able.
- Tom Khazoyan
[...] Sam Bowles, Napoleon Chagnon, Steve LeBlanc, Pat Lambert, Rose McDermott, John Orbell, Randy …Sundance Update – reviews of “Secrets of the …I believe that anthropologists like Dr. Napoleon Chagnon have done much to help us … Darkness in [...]