Trophy

Trophy is a compelling and thought-provoking 2017 documentary that thoroughly explores the controversial, complex, and multifaceted aspects of big game hunting, conservation, and the international trading of endangered species. This evocative film features prominent figures from various perspectives, including professional hunters, breeders, and wildlife conservationists such as Tim Black, Philip Glass, and Christo Gomes.

In this film, the audience is taken on an intense trip around the world. It begins in the United States, moving to Africa, including South Africa and Zimbabwe, and back across the globe. Co-directed by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, the filmmakers interrogated the ethical implications of hunting and poaching, providing their audience with a deep, inside understanding of the terrain and various sides of this heated issue.

The narrative primarily revolves around Philip Glass, a Texas-based sheep breeder and avid hunter on a quest to collect the "Big Five" game trophies - the African elephant, African buffalo, African leopard, African lion, and the African rhinoceros. His perspective provides insight into the viewpoint of hunting enthusiasts, who often argue that legalized hunting can contribute to conservation efforts by providing financial resources to protect habitats and prevent poaching.

Another significant character in the documentary is Christo Gomes, a South African native and esteemed breeder. He provides a different perspective as he goes to great lengths to ensure the survival of rhinos with his industry – breeding animals for hunting purposes. The film does not shy away from showing the disquieting nature of the hunting industry; it depicts scenes from hunting safaris and auctions that leave many uneasy.

The film also highlights the figure of Tim Black, a Zimbabwean anti-poaching leader with a different focus – fighting to protect endangered animals from poachers. His firsthand experiences confronting poachers and the dangers they pose to the survival of endangered species provide a stark contrast to hunting for sport. The documentary also delves into the broader impact on local communities, exploring how hunting revenues affect rural economies and education facilities.

Trophy also includes some very touching sequences featuring animal conservationists who are dedicating their lives to rehabilitating and protecting species from extinction. Among them, a father and son team who are rescue and breed rhinoceroses and a conservationist who rears a pack of lions.

What makes Trophy such a heavy, hard-hitting documentary is how it does not evangelize one point of view or another; instead, it grapples with the deep complexities of the debate by giving a platform to various voices. It challenges viewers to examine their own biases and prejudices surrounding the subject of hunting and conservation, pushing boundaries and asking difficult questions.

The cinematography in Trophy is stunning and immersive, providing viewers with a vivid and often harrowing depiction of both the beauty and brutality of the natural world. The sweeping vistas of the African landscape, close-ups of the animals, and the high-intensity moments of hunting expeditions portray the inherent tension between human ambition and the preservation of the natural world.

With a well-crafted narrative, comprehensive perspectives and excellent cinematography, Trophy handles a highly charged and polarizing subject with depth, honesty and sensitivity. It exposes the sharp paradoxes of an industry that influences the fate of the earth's most magnificent creatures, stirring viewers to think about their role in this dynamic.

Trophy's audience is left to reflect upon the various perspectives presented and to consider the interlocking factors that contribute to the current crisis facing many of the world's most majestic and threatened species.

In conclusion, Trophy strikes the right balance between involving us in the personalities at play, while never letting us lose sight of the broader ecological issues being discussed. Beyond its emotional punch, the film invites viewers to understand the multi-faceted nature of hunting, conservation, and trading of endangered species, and it engages us all to reconsider our stand and thoughts about the survival of these incredible species.