Photo Wallahs

Photo Wallahs

1991 · 59 min · Documentary

Renowned ethnographic filmmakers David and Judith MacDougall explore the many meanings of photography in this profound and penetrating documentary. The film focuses on the photographers of Mussoorie, a hill station in the Himalayan foothills of northern India whose fame has attracted tourists since the 19th century. Through a rich mixture of scenes that includes the photographers at work, their clients, and both old and new photographs, this extraordinary film examines photography as art and as social artifact — a medium of reality, fantasy, memory, and desire.

Directed by Judith MacDougall

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Photo Wallahs

The Wedding Camels

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The Wedding Camels

The Wedding Camels · 1980

The Wedding Camels

MovieDocumentary

Set among the Turkana pastoralists of northwestern Kenya, the film chronicles the marriage negotiations between Lorang’s daughter Akai and Kongu, a friend and age-mate of her father. Much of the film focuses on extended discussions over the bridewealth—goats and camels to be given to the bride’s family—which draw in relatives from both sides and grow increasingly tense. Filmed in an observational style without narration, the documentary records the negotiations and social dynamics that shape the marriage arrangement.

A Wife Among Wives

A Wife Among Wives · 1981

A Wife Among Wives

MovieDocumentary

David and Judith MacDougall are exploring the marriage rituals and roles of Turkana women in this ethnographic documentary. The film's biggest part is taken up by talks between the Turkana people. As one of the first ethnographic documentaries "A Wife Among Wives" subtitles these talks so that the viewer can get a better and probably more personal understanding of the life of the Turkana.

Diya

MovieDocumentaryFamily

Nawi

MovieDocumentary

This classic ethnographic documentary, by the renowned filmmaking team of David and Judith MacDougall, explores the nomadic life of the Jie of Uganda. During the dry season the Jie leave their homesteads in large numbers and take their cattle to temporary camps (nawi) in western Karamoja District, where water and grass are more abundant.

Takeover

Takeover · 1980

MovieDocumentary

About Aborigines and Australian politics. On 13 March 1978 the Queensland Government announced its intention to take over management of the Aurukun Aboriginal Reserve from the Uniting Church. The people of Aurukun complained bitterly, believing that the Church was more sympathetic to their aims and fearing that the State was merely seeking easier access to the rich bauxite deposits on their Reserve. When the Federal Government took the side of the Aborigines the stage was set for national confrontation. Shows the situation at Aurukun during those crucial three weeks.

To Live With Herds

To Live With Herds · 1972

To Live With Herds

MovieDocumentary

A documentary portrait of the Jie of northeastern Uganda, examining pastoral life during a dry season as government policies and economic pressures challenge traditional patterns of herding, movement, and subsistence.

Lorang's Way

Lorang's Way · 1977

An ethnographic study of a Turkana family filmed in north western Kenya in the early 1970's.

Under the Men's Tree

Under the Men's Tree · 1973

Under the Men's Tree

MovieDocumentary

At Jie cattle camps in Uganda men often gather under a special tree to make leather and wooden goods and talk, relax, and sleep. This brilliant ethnographic documentary by renowned filmmakers David and Judith MacDougall captures one particularly riveting discussion one afternoon under the men's tree. The conversation on this particular afternoon becomes a kind of reverse ethnography, centering on the European's most noticeable possession, the motor vehicle. This is a uniquely delicate and intimate film, filled with the humor of the Jie and, implicitly, the ironic wit of the filmmakers.

Three Horsemen

Three Horsemen · 1982

Three Horsemen: 1978/1982 An old Aboriginal stockman, his nephew, and his 13-year-old grandnephew on Cape York peninsula, northern Queensland, try to get an old cattle station going again in their traditional clan country. 54 minutes. Presents the Pootchemunka family and life at the TiTree settlement in Northern Queensland Australia.

A Transfer Of Power

A Transfer Of Power · 1986

A Transfer Of Power

MovieDocumentary

This observational documentary follows an episode in the routine life on Collum Collum cattle-station in northern New South Wales. But, as the filmmaker notes, it's a story that could have occurred anywhere.

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