Movies and TvShows featuring "ethnography" theme.

In 10,000 BC, a tribe of hunter-gatherers called the Yagahl live in the Urals. D'Leh, a young hunter, forms a bond with Evolet, an orphan. When horse raiders capture Evolet, D'Leh sets out on a quest to save her. Along the way, he forms alliances with other tribes and discovers an advanced civilization ruled by 'The Almighty.' With their help, D'Leh leads a rebellion to free the slaves and defeat The Almighty. Ultimately, D'Leh rescues Evolet, and they return to their tribe with grains to transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers.

The Act of Killing is a documentary that explores the horrifying events of the Indonesian genocide. Through surreal reenactments, it exposes the brutal crimes committed by death squads and their self-justification. The film delves into the psychological and societal effects of the mass killings, revealing the corrupt and violent nature of the Indonesian government.

Tabu is a tragic romance set on an exotic island in the South Pacific. It tells the story of a pearl diver who falls in love with a young girl, but their love is threatened by a series of tragic events and cultural barriers. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the clash between nature and civilization.

Nanook of the North is a groundbreaking documentary that provides a glimpse into the life of an Inuit family in the Canadian Arctic. The film showcases their struggles with hunting, survival, and the harsh Arctic climate, while also shedding light on their rich cultural traditions and unique way of life.

Chronicle of a Summer is a documentary film that follows the lives of various individuals in France during the summer of 1960. It explores themes of society, working-class struggles, loneliness, and the pursuit of happiness.

Games of Love and Chance is a heartwarming and humorous film that explores the themes of love, identity, and cultural integration. The story follows a group of teenagers in a Parisian suburb as they navigate through the challenges of relationships, school, and family. When a high school girl and boy from different cultural backgrounds are assigned to work together on a school theater performance, they must confront their differences and learn to embrace each other's unique perspectives. With its witty dialogue, engaging characters, and heartfelt moments, Games of Love and Chance is a delightful exploration of the complexities of teenage romance and the power of love to bridge cultural divides.

Leviathan is a visually stunning documentary that takes viewers into the heart of the fishing industry in the North Atlantic. Through stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, the film explores the harsh realities faced by fishermen and the impact of commercial fishing on the environment. Through a combination of ethnography, anthropology, and sociology, Leviathan provides a unique and thought-provoking glimpse into this often-overlooked industry.

Songs My Brothers Taught Me is a coming-of-age story set on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The film focuses on Jashaun, a young Native American girl, and her relationship with her brother Johnny and the challenges they face in their daily lives.

Daughters of the Dust tells the story of a Gullah family as they face the challenges of preserving their culture and traditions in the face of change. Set in 1902, the film explores themes of slavery, mysticism, and the complex relationships between family members. Told through the perspective of the great-great-grandmother and great-great-granddaughter, the film delves into the struggles and triumphs of the Gullah people.

A documentary that explores the strong assimilation efforts, alcoholism, and social issues faced by Aboriginal people in Australia, while also highlighting their rich culture, art, and history. It delves into the legal rights, land rights, and racial tensions that continue to affect the Aboriginal community. The film provides a glimpse into the challenges of surviving and thriving in a colonial society.

The Mad Masters is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the impact of colonialism in Africa. Through a cinema-verite style, the film showcases the struggles and realities faced by the African population. It highlights the intersection of power dynamics, cultural oppression, and the resilience of the people. With an unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities, this film serves as an eye-opening film-essay on the subject.

An ethnographic documentary about the Mangbetu tribe of the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The film features a discussion of various rites including the Mangbetu practice of head binding, as well as various examples of traditional music and dance.

The extraordinary life story of science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) who, in spite of remaining for many years on the sidelines of the mainstream literature, managed to be recognized as one of the most remarkable US writers of all time, due to the relevance of her work and her commitment to the human condition.

Sweetgrass is a documentary film that follows a group of shepherds as they lead their sheep through the Montana mountains. The film explores the challenges they face and the beauty of their rural surroundings. It captures the close relationship between the shepherds and their sheep, as well as the harsh realities of their way of life.

Manakamana is a documentary film that takes viewers on a unique journey. The film follows the lives of various individuals as they take a cable-car ride to the Manakamana Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site located high in the mountains of Nepal. Through a series of observational shots, the film explores themes of religion, culture, and human connection.

The film traces the extensive journey of two unidentified brothers who venture from the outskirts of Paramaribo, Suriname, on land and through rapids, past a Maroon village on the Upper Suriname River, in a rehearsal of the voyage undertaken by their ancestors, who escaped from slavery at the hands of the Dutch 300 years prior. A path still traveled to this day, its changing topography bespeaks a diverse history of forced migration.

Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life is a documentary film from 1925 that follows the epic journey of the Bakhtiari tribe as they migrate through treacherous terrain in Iran. The film showcases their struggles and triumphs, highlighting the strong bond between humans, animals, and nature.

An anthropological study of a cargo cult in a fictitious self-marginalized commune, which existed next to the Moscow Ring Road - a highway that marks the boundaries of the Russian capital - and survived mainly on roadside trash. Although the road provided for their basic needs, the existence of the commune was extremely precarious and highly dependent on the roadway's fluctuations. This dependency led them to develop a cargo cult of the road.

As part of the research conducted by Diponegoro University's Anthropology Research Expedition community (ARE), this ethnographic film explores the annual Yadnya Karo celebration in Tosari Village, East Java. Yadnya Karo symbolizes the origin of human life. This documentation captures the sacred rituals, vibrant traditions, and enduring cultural identity of the Tengger people.

The film's title is borrowed from a Dani fable that Gardner recounts in voice-over. The Dani people, whom Gardner identifies mysteriously as "a mountain people," believe that there was once a great race between a bird and a snake, which was to determine the lives of human beings. Should men shed their skins and live forever like snakes, or die like birds? The bird won the race, dictating that man must die. The film's plot revolves around two characters, Weyak and Pua. Weyak is a warrior who guards the frontier between the land of his tribe and that of the neighboring tribe. Pua is a young boy whom Gardner depicts as weak and inept.