The Challenge (2017 documentary)
Directed by Yuri Ancarani
The Challenge (2017 documentary)
Italian visual artist Yuri Ancarani’s exquisite documentary enters the surreal world of wealthy Qatari sheikhs with a passion for amateur falconry. The opulence of this Middle Eastern gas state is on full display as the men race SUVs up and down sand dunes, fly their prized falcons around on private jets, and take their pet cheetahs out for desert spins in their souped-up Ferraris. The result is a film jaw-dropping not only for its displays of wealth, but for the pure cinematic beauty that won Ancarani the Filmmaker of the Present award at the 2016 Locarno Film Festival.
Reviews
“Stylistically brilliant. [A] fascinating insight into the high-class, blinged-out culture of Arabian falconers.”
"Ravishing. Despite all the feathery swooping and gunning motors, the flashing gold and pounding sun, these immaculately framed, balanced and photographed images have a tableaulike quality, characterized by a stillness (perhaps cultural or situational) that suggests a memento mori."
"There’s an exquisite visual luxury at play in this loose trip across the Arabian gulf to a falconry competition in Qatar."
"This is, needless to say, an original film. It is also wildly delightful."
“Exuberant. Contemporary tropes of material luxury and ancient rituals coexist throughout Yuri Ancarani’s documentary.”
Interested in bringing The Challenge (2017 documentary) to your school or library? If you'd like to have an in-class viewing, on-campus screening, or purchase the DVD for your library's collection, please contact Estelle Grosso at EDU@kinolorber.com or call (212) 629-6880 with your request.
The Challenge (2017 documentary) may also be available with Public Performance Rights (PPR) and Digital Site Licensing (DSL) for colleges and universities. To purchase the DVD with PPR or DSL, please contact Estelle Grosso at EDU@kinolorber.com or call (212) 629-6880. Click here to learn more at Kino Lorber Edu.
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| Venue | City | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gene Siskel Film Center | Chicago | IL | 1515128400Opens January 2017 |
| Laemmle Claremont 5 | Claremont | CA | 1512968400December 11 - December 12, 2017 |
| Laemmle Town Center 5 | Encino | CA | 1512968400December 11 - December 12, 2017 |
| Laemmle Royal Theatre | Los Angeles | CA | 1512968400December 11 - December 12, 2017 |
| Laemmle Playhouse 7 | Pasadena | CA | 1512968400December 11 - December 12, 2017 |
| Lumiere Cinema | Los Angeles | CA | 1512709200December 8 - December 14, 2017 |
| Virginia Film Festival | Charlottesville | VA | 1510203600November 9 - November 12, 2017 |
| Michigan Tech University | Houghton | MI | 1509595200November 2, 2017 |
| Osio Cinema | Monterey | CA | 1507953600October 14, 2017 |
| Belcourt Theatre | Nashville | TN | 1507867200October 13 - October 17, 2017 |
| Parkway Theatre | Baltimore | MD | 1507262400October 6 - October 12, 2017 |
| Jean Cocteau Cinema | Santa Fe | NM | 1507003200October 3 - October 5, 2017 |
| Milwaukee Film Festival | Milwaukee | WI | 1506571200September 28 - October 12, 2017 |
| Texas Theatre | Dallas | TX | 1506052800September 22 - September 24, 2017 |
| Film at Lincoln Center | New York | NY | 1504843200September 8 - September 28, 2017 |
| Rooftop Films | New York | NY | 1504065600August 30, 2017 |
| Gimli Film Festival | Gimli | MB | 1501041600July 26 - July 30, 2017 |
| Traverse City Film Festival | Traverse City | MI | 1500955200July 25 - July 30, 2017 |
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