The Challenge (2017) - Yuri Ancarani

Featuring nearly any dialogue, Yuri Ancarani's The Challenge transports the viewer into the lavish world of Qatar among the ultra rich Sheikhs, whose passions are fueled by excess and a genuine appreciation for falconry.  An observant, non-judgmental documentary, The Challenge explores a unique, never before seen world, one which is dominated completely by men, who spend their fortunes on lavish things, whether that be sports cars, gold-plated accessories, or falcons, anything which serves as both as entertainment and a symbol of status.  Directed by Yuri Ancarnai, whom is probably best know as a video artist, whose work has been displayed in museums, galleries and art events around the world, The Challenge features a visual striking aesthetic, offering a host of imagery that I promise you have never seen before.  Detailing various Sheikhs as they converge on an area of the desert where this contest of falconry will take place, Yuri Ancarani's film introduces us to a world of excess that is both highly comedic and slightly infuriating, detailing the things men that have it all financial do in an attempt to entertain themselves.  From one Sheikh's man who drives a Lamborghini and is always accompanied by his pet Leopard, to another man who arrives by private jet, whose had nearly all the seats removed for the purposes of transplanting the prized selection of falcons for the sporting event, The Challenge details the exploits of these individuals with detail and humor.  While lacking judgement is unquestionably a good thing, I couldn't help but find myself wishing that the film attempted to gain more entry into the personalities of these characters, showing little interest in that capacity, totally comfortable simply presenting their lifestyle from an outside perspective.   With that in mind, one detail that still stood out to me is the fact that there are absolutely no woman in the entire film, only men, and their sons, a detail that stands as an eerie reminder of the secondary status of woman in this region, who could never have this type of monetary or social status.  Perhaps best described as a film about "Men and their toys", Yuri Ancarani's The Challenge is a fascinating expose into the ultra rich of Qatar, exposing the excess enjoyed by these men who look for ways to spend their money for the sake of both status and entertainment.  

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