A retired gay anthropologist revisits the native cultures he studied in his youth.A retired gay anthropologist revisits the native cultures he studied in his youth.A retired gay anthropologist revisits the native cultures he studied in his youth.A retired gay anthropologist revisits the native cultures he studied in his youth.A retired gay anthropologist revisits the native cultures he studied in his youth.
In 1955, while a Fulbright scholar, a Manhattan painter named Tobias Schneebaum spent seven months in the Amazon basin with the Harakambut. When he returned to the US, he could no longer paint. What happened? Nearly 45 years later, filmmakers want Tobias, now 78 and suffering from Parkinson's, to return to Peru. He refuses but allows that he will revisit the Asmat in New Guinea where he spent an idyllic time years before. That trip goes well, including a serendipitous meeting with Aipit, an aging native and once Tobias' friend and lover. Tobias then agrees to go to Peru to look for the people whom he joined on a murderous raiding party. The scars of war remain as does fear. —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
Top review
Contrast and Dichotomy
One word in the title makes for unfortunate marketing... but once that hiccup passed, this is a very beautiful and thoughtful film.
The profound story of a strangely unique, yet average, man. Dealing with the dichotomy of civilised vs primitive. The dichotomy between the jungle of New York City and the jungles of Peru and Papua New Guinea. But which is really the 'civilised' one? The dichotomy about time which passes, but at the same time doesn't. The dichotomy of fear and strength. The dichotomy of love and loneliness.
In the end, a film about the very fundamentals of life, as experienced by an intelligent and perceptive man.
The profound story of a strangely unique, yet average, man. Dealing with the dichotomy of civilised vs primitive. The dichotomy between the jungle of New York City and the jungles of Peru and Papua New Guinea. But which is really the 'civilised' one? The dichotomy about time which passes, but at the same time doesn't. The dichotomy of fear and strength. The dichotomy of love and loneliness.
In the end, a film about the very fundamentals of life, as experienced by an intelligent and perceptive man.
helpful•20
- tallard
- Jan 5, 2012
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