One of the greatest documentary filmmakers on the planet, Austria's Ulrich Seidl has built a loyal following around the world thanks to his ability to approach frequently difficult - and often very odd - subject matter with a curious, non-judgemental eye. Seidl's gift is his ability to find the core of his subjects and present them as they are while leaving it to his audience to grapple with the import of what they're viewing. It's an approach that is deeply engaging, frequently quite funny, and often very challenging. His latest effort - Safari - will surely fall into that latter category for a great many people.
Africa. In the wild expanses, where bushbucks, impalas, zebras, gnus and other creatures graze by the thousands, they are on holiday. German and Austrian hunting tourists drive through the bush, lie in wait, stalk their prey. They shoot, sob with excitement and pose before the animals they have bagged. A vacation movie about killing, a movie about human nature.
Trophy hunting has been much in the news recently, proving to be a significant hot button issue and given Seidl's general approach to things I certainly would not expect him to hold back from anything here. Will PETA be delighted or enraged? You get your first indication now with the arrival of the first teaser. Check it out below.