Kestrel’s Eye is a movie that is hard for a non-environmentalist to appreciate, much less enjoy. It follows a pair of kestrels through different seasons and observes the way they live their lives. It shows the way they bring food to each other and protect their nest. Their companionship is almost human-like in the way they help each other and I believe this is what the movie is trying to portray. That animals aren’t just animals. They have feelings and live a life in their own fashion that is worthy of respect. Animals are not just machines as Descartes would say.
What makes this movie difficult to watch for someone who isn’t an environmentalist or extremely fond of nature is that the Kestrel’s Eye has no narrative. The entire movie is just showing video footage of the birds and the sounds (sometimes repetitively annoying) they make. Nature documentaries that have a narrative are much more “watcher friendly”. The narrator is able to pull us into the documentary and explain what is going on or give us facts about the animal’s lifestyle. The Kestrel’s Eye does not provide this and I imagine many people find this makes the video boring and hard to watch.
The Kestrel’s Eye does have some redeeming qualities. This video provides us with an inside look about how these animals live their lives. It portrays how these birds interact and care for each other. It is all too easy for people to think of animals as not being sentient, but rather as unfeeling machines. This documentary shatters that outlook. I’m sure this viewpoint will be further strengthened when the eggs hatch and the parents lovingly take care of their young. Also, the video provides some amazing footage of these birds, that most people probably haven’t seen up close. If a person can sit through the monotony of the film, there is something positive to be taken away from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment