The Challenge

Documentary, 69 minutes.

Produced by La Bête, Atopic et Ring Film in association with Michigan Films, Solo Films & Dugong Production.

With the support of ARTE France La Lucarne, CNC Cosip, Région Ile-de-France, PROCIREP-ANGOA, Ministère de la Culture Italien (MIBACT) et du Beursschouwburg (Bruxelles). Une coproduction du Centre d’Art Contemporain de Genève, Fonds d’Art contemporain de la Ville et du Canton de Genève, FAENA Art & In Between Art Film.

Synopsis

EN / Falconry has a history that stretches back over forty centuries. In the West it was a prevailing passion of the medieval aristocracy, but its prestige continues undiminished in contemporary Arab culture. Three years of observing this form of hunting in the field have made it possible to capture the spirit of a tradition that allows its practitioners to keep a close rapport with the desert, in spite of their predominantly urban lifestyle. Our guide is a falconer taking his birds to compete in a tournament in Qatar.

FR / La fauconnerie a plus de quarante siècles d’histoire. En Occident elle fut, au Moyen Âge, l’une des grandes passions de l’aristocratie, et elle conserve tout son prestige dans la culture arabe contemporaine. C’est un fauconnier accompagnant ses oiseaux de compétition à un important tournoi au Qatar qui nous guide dans cette traversée. Dans la lumière zénithale d’un espace dépouillé, le film raconte un étrange «week-end dans le désert».

Crew

Diretion : Yuri Ancarani

Cinematography : Yuri Ancarani, Luca Nervegna, Jonathan Ricquebourg

Sound : Mirco Mencacci

Edit : Yuri Ancarani

Music : Lorenzo Senni, Francesco Fantini

Screenings

2016

Festival du Film Locarno – Prix Spécial du Jury Ciné+

IDFA Amsterdam – Paradocs

Torino Film Festival – Onde/Artrum

Dubai International Film Festival – Arabian Nights

2017

New Directors New Films – MOMA New York

Manaki Brothers Macedonia – International Competition

Sevilla Festival de Cine Europeo – Las Nuevas Olas

VIENNALE Documentaries

SXSW – South by Southwest, Austin TX

Mar del Plata Film Festival – Panorama

Schermi dell’Arte – Firenze

Lanzarote Film Festival

+ 50 other festivals