1. The Eagle Huntress FILM DISCUSSION GUIDE
UK, Mongolia, US | 2016 | 87 mins | Dir: Otto Bell | Cert. U | Engaging for ages 7+
Curriculum links: Citizenship, Geography, PSHE
Sony Pictures Classics © (2016) All rights reserved.

2. The Eagle Huntress
UK, Mongolia, US | 2016 | 87 mins | Dir: Otto Bell | Cert. U
Engaging for ages 7+ | Curriculum links: Citizenship, Geography, PSHE
Amongst the isolated Kazakh tribe in the mountains of Mongolia, the tradition of eagle hunting has been practiced for centuries, but only by men. However, 13-year-old Aisholpan is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps and take part in the Golden Eagle Festival. Her decision causes controversy amongst older members of the community but Aisholpan is determined to prove them wrong, training with a new eagle under the guidance of her father.

3. Talk about it before the film
Have you heard of eagle hunting? What might it involve and how do you think it would work?
What type of landscape might it take place in?
Sony Pictures Classics © (2016) All rights reserved.
The Eagle Huntress

4. Discussion points
What challenges do Aisholpan and her family face over the course of the film?
Why do the elders in the community think Aisholpan shouldn’t be an eagle huntress? How does she prove them wrong?
In what ways is Aisholpan’s life similar to a girl of the same age in Britain?
What do you think the message of the film is?
Teacher Notes:
1. Living in an isolated mountain community can be very difficult, particularly as the seasons change. Aisholpan and her family have to move twice a year, due to the climate. The purpose of eagle hunting is to find food, such as rabbits and foxes, for use in the winter. Aisholpan also faces prejudice from others in the community because they do not think eagle hunting should be done by a young girl.
2. For generations, eagle hunting has only been done by men, and this is all the elders have ever known. They do not think a girl should be able to do it, for cultural reasons and also because they do not think females would be strong or resourceful enough. However, Aisholpan proves them wrong by winning the tournament and working with her dad to become the best eagle hunter around!
3. Although Aisholpan’s surroundings and day-to-day activities are very different to what we know in Britain, she has many of the same interests and ambitions as young people here. She goes to school with her friends, and has many of the same types of conversations pupils in Britain and around the world have on a daily basis.
4. People can do and be anything they want to; they should not allow the prejudice of others to stand in their way, or be put off by the fact that something has never been done before!

5. Extension activities
Write a letter to Aisholpan and tell her about a typical day at school for you and your friends. If you have time, you can also tell her about some of the things you like to do outside of school, and what types of food you like to eat.

6. Write about it
Bring your ideas together in a review and share it on our Into Film clubs’ website. You could include a summary of the story, mention other films that it’s similar to, describe what you particularly liked or disliked and give it your star rating.

7. Watch next The Story of the Weeping Camel Winged Migration
2004 | Cert. U | Engaging for ages 7+
When a Mongolian nomadic family’s newest camel is rejected by its mother, a musician is needed for a ritual to change her mind.
ThinkFilm © (2004) All rights reserved.
Winged Migration
2001 | Cert. U | Engaging for ages 5+
Award-winning nature documentary that follows the paths of migrating birds from all over the globe.
Cluzaud © (2001) All rights reserved.