Saturday 5 November 2022

The Flute and the Arrow (4 Stars)



This is a Swedish film made in 1957. It has the form of a documentary, even though some scenes must have been added for dramatic effect. In fact, it's difficult to see where the dividing line is between fact and fiction. This is a deliberate tactic by the director Arne Sucksdorff.

The film takes place in central India, in a region where there are many tribes with different religions and different languages. The main characters are Ginju from the Muria tribe and his wife Riga from the neighbouring Gando tribe. Ginju is an outcast, because his wife's tribe is considered inferior. The feelings are mutual. Both tribes look down on one another. Nevertheless, there's a yearly market in Muria when all differences are forgotten for two days and Ginju is allowed to bring his wife home.

A leopard has been attacking the villagers. This is seen as a punishment from the Gods, and the shaman declares that Ginju's presence in the tribe is the reason the Gods are angry. Ginju and Riga are forced to leave immediately, before the end of the market. But the leopard remains in the nearby jungle attacking people and livestock.

The Indians speak their native tongues, and no translation is offered, at least not directly. A narrator explains what's happening. This intensifies the film's documentary feel.

We don't get to know the characters. It wouldn't fit the film's documentary style. We're on the outside looking in. It's a highly unusual film about a primitive people that is largely unknown. After watching the film I checked Wikipedia to find out more about the Muria, and they have some strange sexual practises which aren't mentioned in the film.

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