Cannibal Tours

"There is nothing so strange in a strange land, as the stranger who comes to visit it."

Jun 14 1988 N/A 1h 10m
Documentary

The film follows a number of European and American ecotourists as they travel from village to village throughout the Sepik River area in Papua New Guinea, driving hard bargains for local handcrafted items, paying to view formerly sacred ceremonies and taking photographs of every aspect of "primitive" life. With some prodding, the tourists unwittingly reveal an unattractive and pervasive ethnocentrism to O'Rourke's cameras. The tourists thus become somewhat dehumanized by the camera, even as the tourists themselves are busy exoticizing even the most mundane aspects of Sepik River life.

Plot

When tourists journey to the furthermost reaches of the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, is it the indigenous tribespeople or the white visitors who are the cultural oddity? This film explores the difference (and the surprising similarities) that emerge when "civilized" and "primitive" people meet. With dry humor and acute observation CANNIBAL TOURS explodes cultural assumptions as it provides a pointed look at a fabulous phenomenon.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Dennis O'Rourke

Cast

N/A

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Australia, Papua New Guinea

Production Companies

Institute of Papua New Guinea Studios, Channel 4 Television

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
338
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA