By Allegra Papera
Online Arts Editor
Netflix original documentary “The Ivory Game” follows a group of wildlife activists dedicated to reaching the end of the ivory trafficking industry, producing an informative and heart-wrenching film.
“The Ivory Game” proves intriguing with its beautiful cinematography, unique perspectives, and eye-opening explanations about the ivory trafficking industry between Africa and Asia. However, its slow pace eventually becomes monotonous, boring viewers.
The documentary follows filmmakers Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani, along with their crew members and an array of wildlife activists as they spend 16 months traveling between Africa and Asia investigating the illegal poaching of elephants for their ivory tusks to be smuggled into China. The film explores the economic impact of the business as well as its destruction of the declining elephant population.
Check out the film’s website here.
“The Ivory Game” utilizes breathtaking cinematography to evoke emotion by capturing the true, loving and intelligent nature of elephants. The film opens with shots of tightknit elephant families traveling together, establishing an emotional connection between viewers and the animals, ultimately influencing audiences to sympathize with them.
Additionally, the filmmakers and activists address the issue of ivory trafficking with a focus on poachers’ intention to shrink the elephant population as it results in the increase the worth of ivory. This exposes the ruthlessness of elephant poaching, further proving the filmmakers’ point by convincing viewers of the negative impact poaching has on the natural world.
The film features a plethora of wildlife activists, who, while each working toward a common goal, intrigue audiences with their unique backgrounds and perspectives. For example Chinese investigative journalist and wildlife activist Hongxiang Huang provides an eye-opening point of view, as most Chinese in the film are depicted as encouraging of ivory trafficking. His perspective proved thought-provoking and provided depth to the film as a whole.
Check out another review of the story here!
The film’s documentation of the crew’s undercover investigation adds an element of excitement, exposing the fast-paced and dangerous nature of the ivory-trafficking industry. Their way of delving into the business successfully intrigues and entertains viewers.
The film’s simple explanations and comparison of the dangers and endeavors of the ivory trafficking industry to more familiar concepts is beneficial to viewers learning about the topic for the first time. Filmmakers compare the industry to something as popularly addressed as drug trafficking, successfully describing the weight of the situation.
Unfortunately, while the majority of the documentary proves itself intriguing, its slow pace and lengthiness results in the repetition of already thoroughly established points, this repetition bores audiences and simply adds unnecessary runtime to the film.
Despite its useless lengthiness, “The Ivory Game” is an eye-opening, thoughtful and emotional documentary that well-informs viewers of the unique aspects of the widely unaddressed and ruthless ivory trafficking industry.
“The Ivory Game” was released on November 4 is available to stream on Netflix.
Leave a Reply