The Eagle Huntress

The Eagle Huntress
Sony
24 January 2016
Documentary
DVD
A-

Otto Bell directed this movie, which is one of the most remarkable I've ever seen.  It is about a 13-year-old Mongolian girl, Aisholpan, who both defies and embraces tradition by becoming an eagle hunter.  She is brave, strong, wise, funny, kind, and very human.  Her family and friends are incredibly supportive.  The scenery is stark but gorgeous.  And we get to know her eaglet, too (better than the cheetah in Duma).  So many great little touches, like the weather reports on the radio and the purple nail polish she applies to herself and her little sister, as well as literally soaring shots of earth and sky.  The most magical thing about the movie though is Aisholpan's quietly confident smile.

Daisy Ridley, who later became Rey in the Star Wars franchise, narrates.