Herdsmen

Following the fortunes of a Kazak family from Xinjiang, a remote western China province seemingly untouched by modern civilization, Herdsmen chronicles the journey of one extended family (11 or 12 children aren't uncommon) as they move through the seasons from spring to winter, seeking grasslands to graze their livestock of sheep, camels, goats, and a few cows. The camera follows their travails and triumphs as they herd animals across rushing streams, build shelters, and journey far afield to round up strays. Later, we observe the family in quiet moments of daily rituals, feasting, and Islamic religious rites. The Kazak are a gentle people, with the only signs of conflict seen here being some intense but good-natured haggling over the fair price for a herd of sheep. Western film master John Ford would have approved of the lovingly-framed long shots of herdsmen, photographed against stunning backdrops of mountain, river, and valley scenery. Unfortunately, however, there is no narrative, and the viewer must rely on eye-straining, inadequate subtitles that still do not answer some pressing questions general viewers are likely to have, such as: Where are the old people in this tribe? Where do the Kazak spend the money they earn from selling the sheep? Do children receive any formal schooling? Sincere but slow-moving, Herdsmen is recommended for large anthropology collections, but optional elsewhere. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)