FILM - The Eagle Huntress

With introduction by Maria Efrosinina, UNFPA Honorary Ambassador.

The film follows Aisholopan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle hunter a tradition that has been handed down from father to son for centuries. While there are many old Kazakh eagle hunters who vehemently reject the idea of any female taking part in their ancient tradition, Aisholpan’s father Nurgaiv believes that a girl can do anything a boy can, as long as she’s determined.  

Set against the breathtaking expanse of the Mongolian steppe, the film features some of the most awe-inspiring cinematography ever captured in a documentary. 

The story begins after Aisholpan has been training with her father’s eagle for many months. As every eagle can only have one master, the time has come for Aisholpan to capture an eagle of her own. Clambering down a sheer rock cliff with a rope, Aisholpan retrieves a fledgling eagle from its nest as its mother circles overhead. Her eagle will live, train, and hunt with her, until she releases it into the wild years later. After months of training her eagle with her father, Aisholpan is ready to test her abilities, entering a renowned competition against 70 of the greatest Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia. 

Documentary/Mongolia/Kazakh/87 minutes/2016

Director: Otto Bell

Producer: Stacey Reiss, Sharon Chang