Overland (Revere La Noue, 2018): USA

Reviewed by C. Zangi Angeli at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020

I loved this documentary  film and thought it unfolded beautifully as they followed three different falconers from three different countries. Giovanni Granati is from Abruzzo, Italy and feels his life is “REAL”.  Certainly living life in nature would make one feel connected. I loved the way he lived his life authentically and with his spiritual nature. Giovonni said he struggled on his land and for him to keep up with his work and falconry was admirable as well as the others who showed their dedication. The other two falconers were Bin Mejren from  Khalifa, a Middle Eastern country and is part of a falcon team that races their falcons for sport. Lauren McGough, an austringer in the documentary is with a majestic Eagle who lovingly devotes her time to rehabilitating eagles. Lauren sought after Mongolia to train and learn the way of Eagles in a male dominated field. She learned quickly not to apologize for being herself.  She said, “I never really did anything except stubbornly be myself. Don’t ask permission. Do what you want to do. She let the obstacles fall away and turned her back on the naysayers who wanted to dictate to her about what she should do. I found the film to be very meditative as you watch their grace of flight in the sky. What I found interesting and enjoyed was it was divided in segments throughout the film as it moved ahead as they weaved their stories and their lives.   I thought the three falconers and their land to be very fascinating along with their dedication to their birds. It is a sight to see in the wild. There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle. It was such a joy to meet a couple of the falconers after the film and you got to get your picture taken as well with their birds. Lauren was with her huge eagle and it was truly amazing to see such a majestic bird so close-up.  I especially liked the hawk and Giovonni Granati as he lives on the land with his birds and animals. I felt a genuine feel for him and his spiritual nature also as he had stated more than once the way he lives is “real”.  All I could think about was how to leave it all behind and live where life is real and is about nature and the land. But I also realize we have this beautiful backcountry of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.  I have often seen the falcons and the eagles in this backcountry. I remember watching a baby eagle in a nest at Lake Casita in Ojai. That was a real treat. Living in Nature does make life more REAL!  Yes, Giovanni to living a life that is REAL! C. Zangi Angeli