Ulrich Seidl

Safari

2016 Austria, Denmark
90min • German, English, Afrikaans. English subtitles
K16
Theme: Rokumentti Awareness
18.11.2017 | Time: 13.15 | Venue: Tapio 3 | BUY TICKET

The darkness in Africa's heart.

Safari is a movie about the great white hunters, who kill endangered animals for fun. These big-money tourists are driven with jeeps to the animals' grazing grounds, where they are told where and when to pull the trigger. After a successful kill they hug and pose for the camera over the carcasses of the lords of the savannah. The act of pulling the trigger is so tiring, however, that the local aides take care of butchering as well as removing the head for the hanging on wall that comes after, so that the hunter may tearfully reminisce about their great feats when at home.

Ulrich Seidl's neutral depiction of the protagonists through long, peaceful pictures creates an absurd feel to Safari. This film evokes holy wrath towards mankind, even without overt provocation. Listening to the “hunters” purgative excuses makes one’s pulse rise and fists clench. Thoughtlessness may be excusable, but selfish stupidity must be condemned. 

Trailer