Watch The Challenge

The Challenge is a 2016 documentary film directed by Yuri Ancarani. The film explores the world of falconry in the United Arab Emirates, a traditional practice that dates back thousands of years. The film focuses on three main characters: a wealthy Qatari sheikh who is a passionate falconer, a group of Pakistani workers who are responsible for training and caring for the birds, and the birds themselves. The sheikh is shown as an extremely dedicated and passionate falconer who is willing to spend millions of dollars on training and equipment to be sure that his birds are the top performers in competitions. The Pakistani workers are shown as extremely skilled and hardworking, but also as being somewhat isolated from the rest of society. They are shown as being completely dedicated to their work and to the birds they care for, but they also must deal with the realities of being migrant workers in a foreign country.

The film is beautifully shot, with incredible aerial shots of the desert landscapes as well as stunning images of the falcons in flight. The film captures both the beauty and the harshness of the desert environment, and highlights the intense relationship between the falconers and their birds.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the depiction of the sheikh's falcon hospital, a state-of-the-art facility where sick and injured birds are treated. The hospital is shown as being equipped with the latest technology, and as having a staff of highly trained veterinarians who are dedicated to the health and well-being of the birds. It is clear that the birds are not just valued for their performance in competitions, but also as living creatures that are valued and cared for.

Despite the focus on falconry, the film is also a powerful commentary on wealth, privilege, and inequality. The sheikh is shown as living a life of extreme luxury, with access to private jets, yachts, and other extravagances. His falconry is just one aspect of his opulent lifestyle, and the contrast between his life and the lives of the Pakistani workers is stark.

The film also touches on more profound themes, like the relationship between humans and nature, and the ways in which humans have shaped the natural world to suit our own needs. The images of the falcons in flight are breathtaking, but they also serve as a reminder of the ways in which animals have been domesticated and controlled by humans for thousands of years.

Overall, The Challenge is a fascinating and thought-provoking film that explores a little-known aspect of Middle Eastern culture, as well as broader themes of wealth, inequality, and the relationship between humans and nature. The film is beautifully shot and expertly edited, and it will leave viewers with a new appreciation for the ancient art of falconry.

The Challenge is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 69.