This is not the Tamil Jallikattu, but a whole different kind of sport - one of savage masculine behaviour inflicted upon a single animal, which makes for disturbing viewing.
This is the way I look at this film:
'Jallikattu' is an allegorical tale of mankind's eternal struggle to subdue Nature. However it is not possible to control Nature, and when she runs riot, the result is mayhem. In their eagerness to control and consume the beast, the menfolk of the village are themselves reduced to a primal state of savagery symbolized by the human mound that engulfs the buffalo in the end.
Are the villagers eating buffalo meat (which I believe is called buff or carabeef) due to the ban on beef? This is not apparent from watching the film, or perhaps I am missing something.
That the villagers love meat in their daily diet is established when they incongruously hang their morning meat purchase to a tree before entering the place of worship. When the buffalo runs amok, the villagers' reaction is sharp, which is reflected in their over-the-top acting, and a farcical chase across the village and the forest.
Therefore I also see this as a commentary against non-vegetarianism wherein a free-spirited buffalo refuses to be reduced to becoming somebody's meal, and decides to take its fate in its own hands - or hooves, in this case.
Either way, in the end, the men appear beastlier and ghastlier than the beast itself.
This is a short film that moves at a rapid pace, thanks to the crisp editing and great sound effects.
Not easily 'digestible' by all.
This is the way I look at this film:
'Jallikattu' is an allegorical tale of mankind's eternal struggle to subdue Nature. However it is not possible to control Nature, and when she runs riot, the result is mayhem. In their eagerness to control and consume the beast, the menfolk of the village are themselves reduced to a primal state of savagery symbolized by the human mound that engulfs the buffalo in the end.
Are the villagers eating buffalo meat (which I believe is called buff or carabeef) due to the ban on beef? This is not apparent from watching the film, or perhaps I am missing something.
That the villagers love meat in their daily diet is established when they incongruously hang their morning meat purchase to a tree before entering the place of worship. When the buffalo runs amok, the villagers' reaction is sharp, which is reflected in their over-the-top acting, and a farcical chase across the village and the forest.
Therefore I also see this as a commentary against non-vegetarianism wherein a free-spirited buffalo refuses to be reduced to becoming somebody's meal, and decides to take its fate in its own hands - or hooves, in this case.
Either way, in the end, the men appear beastlier and ghastlier than the beast itself.
This is a short film that moves at a rapid pace, thanks to the crisp editing and great sound effects.
Not easily 'digestible' by all.