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Milking the Rhino

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Milking the Rhino
Directed byDavid E. Simpson
Produced byDavid E. Simpson
Gordon Quinn
Jeannie R. Magill (co-producer)
CinematographyJason Longo
Edited byDavid E. Simpson
Music byJoel Diamond
Distributed byKartemquin Films
Release date
  • February 16, 2009 (2009-02-16)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Maasai
Swahili
Ojihimba

Milking the Rhino is a 2009 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that examines the relationship between the indigenous African wildlife, the villagers who live amongst this wildlife and conservationists who look to keep tourism dollars coming in. Both the Maasai of Kenya and the Ovahimba of Namibia have spent centuries as cattle farmers. With their lands being turned into protected game reserves, these ancient tribes have turned to tourism as a means of survival.[1]

While some environmentalists think that community-based conservation is ideal for these villagers, the dangers of drought and the starvation of their cattle remains a constant reality. Stuck between the always growing Western influence that wants Africa to remain a place for sight-seeing safaris and their own ancient cultures, the Maasai and Himba are at a crossroads of cultural change.[2]

The Kenyan section of the movie features interviews with Kinanjui Lesenderia, an Ndorobo Maasai elder at Il Ngwesi in Kenya, Ian Craig, former rancher and founder of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, James Ole Kinyaga, Senior Host of Kenya's first community-owned and managed eco-lodge and Helen Gichohi, President of the African Wildlife Foundation.[3]

Produced by Kartemquin Films and directed by David E. Simpson, Milking the Rhino won numerous awards at multiple international film festivals, including Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival and San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.[4] On April 7, 2009, Milking the Rhino made its television premiere on PBS's Independent Lens.[5]

References

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  1. ^ AWARD-WINNING MILKING THE RHINO, FEATURING AWF’S DR. HELEN GICHOHI, NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES African Wildlife Foundation. 20 Jan. 2010. Retrieved 21 Jan. 2011.
  2. ^ "Milking the Rhino" - Official site Kartemquin Films. Retrieved 19 Jan. 2011.
  3. ^ "Kenya". KARTEMQUIN EDUCATIONAL FILMS. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  4. ^ the Rhino: Interview With The Associate Producer. Peace Center.org. 27 Oct. 2009. Retrieved 21 Jan. 2011.
  5. ^ "Independent Lens" Retrieved. 19 Jan. 2011.
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