The Buffalo Hunt

The Buffalo Hunt, released in 2019, is a riveting documentary that takes viewers deep into the heart of the Native American cultures in Southern Utah, giving a raw and poignant insight into their annual buffalo hunt.

Contrary to what the title might suggest, this film is much more than just a record of a hunt. It is a powerfully immersive exploration of traditions, culture, and the deep bonds formed within a community that has endured through both hardship and joy.

The documentary, directed by Philip Di Fiore – a young filmmaker celebrated for capturing the spirit of his subjects – explores the ancient legacy and the modern struggle of the Native American people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In this austere, unforgiving landscape, he shares the tale of three key characters through the lens of the annual buffalo hunt.

In this deeply personal story, Di Fiore doesn’t sensationalize, nor exploit the individuals or their circumstances. He pitches the hunt and the preparations for it mostly as a backdrop to a narrative that subtly explores the socio-political dynamics, tangled historical threads, and economic struggles of the people living on the reservation.

The Buffalo Hunt is a vivid visualization of complexities that arise from a mixture of a long history, politics, ambition, pride, and frustration, painted on the canvas of seemingly never-ending plains. The opportunity to participate in an age-old tradition provides both unity and community, a chance to come together and share experiences and memories.

As the hunt progresses, so do the personal stories of the characters, carefully unfolding their dreams and desires, and their immediate realities and fears. The movie witnesses and records the life of the Lakota Sioux Nation in a most intimate yet unobtrusive way. The viewers get to see the pride in their legacy, the bond they share with nature, their struggles with modern society's perceptions, and their attempts to maintain their cultural identity against all odds.

Using striking and masterfully executed cinematography, the movie sets a slow, deliberate pace that reflects the simplicity and complexity of reservation life. Audiences are taken on a visual journey that wonderfully captures the stark beauty of the South Dakota plains and the ever-changing moods of nature. Di Fiore's aesthetics bring the viewer closer to the pulse of the land and the heartbeat of the people who inhabit it.

The director’s unvarnished approach of filming, shorn of any added glitz, glamor, or romanticism typically associated with cinema, makes it an anthropologist's delight. This documentary can comfortably find a place in the annals of visual anthropology as a profound marker of human culture and society.

The human condition is delicately portrayed through the lens of hunters, families, elders, and children, where every human emotion exists unabashedly. The Buffalo Hunt doesn't attempt to provide a resolution for the struggles it reveals, but it gives a unique perspective by giving voice to its characters' experiences.

The importance of sound can't be understated in The Buffalo Hunt. This is a documentary where the stillness is profound, the silence speaking volumes against the relentless plains' wind. The auditory landscape is as essential to this film as the physical one. It sets the tone, provides the context and underscores the emotional gravity of the scenes.

The Buffalo Hunt is a film about holding onto what's essential for survival, physically and culturally, in the face of oppression and adversity. It does require patience to truly appreciate this film’s art, as the pace is often slow and meditative.

For anyone interested in Native American culture, anthropology, or looking to explore a different cinema flavor, The Buffalo Hunt presents an excellent opportunity. With its unique approach and sensitive handling of its subjects, the movie has carved a niche for itself.

In closing, The Buffalo Hunt is an exploration of humanity, culture, and courage. It is a film that leaves you with questions, thoughts, and a profound respect for the resilience and spirit of the Lakota Sioux Nation. It might be a challenging watch for some, but for those willing to undertake the journey, it offers a rich, fulfilling experience.