The Valley (Obscured by Clouds/La Vallee). Barbet Schroeder, 1972.
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Edition screened: BFI Blu-ray, released 2010. French and Tos Pisin (New Guinea Pidgin) languages with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 105 minutes.
Summary: Pig butchering
Details:
1) We hear a gunshot, followed by mournful handling of a dead exotic bird during dialogue, 1:02:46-1:03:35.
2) We see several pigs clubbed to death, 1:20:18-1:21:04, then a brief scene of their carcasses being scraped of hair, 1: 21:45-1:21:55.
The killing of the pigs cannot be overlooked. The gentle intelligent animals squeal in pain and try to flee for their lives.
However. The scene is over comparatively quickly and is part of an important tribal celebration in which the animals are eaten with respect and purpose. This contrasts sharply with the longer, gratuitously graphic scenes of animal murder and mutilation in several Les Blank films celebrating American rural life. Blank showcases asinine rural buffoons mutilating animals, beer in hand, for the entertainment of their cackling wives and mutant-looking children. That, of course, is presented as adorable folk culture from better times in a better ’murika.
The Valley is a gorgeous, spiritual film, and viewing is recommended. If you like, simply fast-forward to around 1:22 as soon as the pigs are brought onscreen. Also note that the beautiful green snake encountered around 46 minutes into the film is not abused in any way.
The BFI dual-format release also includes three short documentaries of life among the New Guinea tribe. These films are longer versions of scenes in The Valley:
Le Cochon aux patates (Pork with sweet potatoes), approximately 8 minutes.😿😿😿
Marquillages (Make-up), approximately 12 minutes.😸
Sing Sing (Singing), approximately 5 minutes.😸