(2016) - The Challenge

Rather than using a scripted narrative, Ancarani spent three years researching this world to create an "anthropology of a contemporary desert". The film serves as a portrait of a specific state of consciousness—one where gold-plated Harleys, prayer mats, and ancient hunting rituals coexist in a boundless, exclusively male landscape.

The film follows a group of men as they travel from their urban lifestyles into the glaring light of the desert landscape for a falconry tournament. The "story" is told through a series of striking, high-definition images that highlight the intersection of 4,000-year-old traditions and hyper-modern technology: The Challenge (2016)

: Men in white robes transport their prized hunting falcons—some worth tens of thousands of dollars—on private jets where the birds have their own dedicated seats. Rather than using a scripted narrative, Ancarani spent

The story of the film , directed by Italian artist Yuri Ancarani , is a surreal, largely wordless observation of a weekend in the Qatari desert. It focuses on the world of wealthy Qatari sheikhs who maintain an ancient tradition of amateur falconry amidst extreme modern luxury. A Weekend in the Desert The "story" is told through a series of

You can view more about the film's production and style on the Official Yuri Ancarani Website or watch the trailer on the Film Society YouTube Channel . The Challenge (2016)

: The central ritual is the falconry contest, where the goal is for a falcon to catch a pigeon as quickly as possible. During the event, the men sit in high-tech tents, checking their phones and watching the action on giant screens via "falcon-cams" attached to the birds' bodies. Thematic Focus