Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale

Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale is an intense and complex exploration of human nature, culture, anthropology, and personal acceptance. Directed by sibling filmmakers David and Laurie Gwen Shapiro in 2000, this remarkable blend of documentary and psychological drama deeply plunges into the life of an extraordinary figure, Tobias Schneebaum.

The film introduces us to Tobias Schneebaum, a Jewish New Yorker, a gay man, a World War II veteran, a renowned artist, and an esteemed anthropologist. Yet perhaps the most interesting aspect of Schneebaum's life — and what is, in fact, the central focus of the movie — is his time spent living with cannibalistic tribes in the remote realms of the Amazon and New Guinea. Yes, you read that correctly: Tobias Schneebaum willfully immersed himself in cannibalistic societies, an experience that forever altered his life and worldview.

Perhaps even more shockingly, Schneebaum confessed that during his time with the tribes, he partook in their cannibalistic practices. This disturbing confession forms the backbone of the narrative, guiding us as we delve into his fascinating and complex life story. Not only does the film trace the path of his extraordinary adventures, but it also humanizes him, revealing the man beneath the sensationalism — a man grappling with his own personal demons, his sexual identity, and the haunting experiences of his past.

One of the film's most unique aspects is its blend of past and present. Directors David and Laurie Gwen Shapiro interweave archival footage and interviews — including conversations with well-known figures such as Pulitzer-winning writer Norman Mailer and archival footage of Michael Rockefeller, the governor of New York’s son who vanished mysteriously in New Guinea — with present-day scenes of Schneebaum's journey back to the jungles he once called home.

This blending of timelines adds a layer of suspense and introspection, lending depth to Schneebaum's narrative. It has the effect of confronting not only Schneebaum himself but also the audience with the reality of his experience - showing us that this man did not just dabble in other cultures, but embedded himself so deeply that he, for a time, became one of them.

The film provides significant time to explore Schneebaum's life in New York City, where he is a respected artist and lecturer. These scenes match the intensity of his tribal tales, offering a beautifully contrasted view of Schneebaum as both an adventurous seeker of alternate cultures and a somewhat lonely, marginal figure in modern society.

One of the most powerful elements of Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale is this examination of Schneebaum's identity. The film presents Schneebaum as a complex figure, who is unable to fully fit into either the Western world or the tribal communities he's spent so much time with. Moreover, it also investigates his struggles with his sexual identity and how it has impacted his experiences, connections, and sense of self throughout his life.

Adding to the complexity and multi-faceted nature of the film, Keep the River on Your Right is a visual spectacle that uses stunning scenery and thoughtful imagery to testify to the worlds Schneebaum has embraced. There are sweeping scenes from American cities to Amazonian jungles and Papua New Guinea's terrain, providing visual texture and contrast to the fascinating and often unsettling narrative.

Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale is a fascinating journey that offers a unique perspective on what it means to be human and the lengths to which one man would go to understand, experience, and even become a part of vastly different cultures. It's a story that is sure to evoke a range of emotions, challenge your norms, and spark lively discussions about what it really means to truly belong. The viewing experience is intense, deeply thought-provoking, and it's one that you are unlikely to forget easily.