Film Lens
The film focuses on the Bijagos, an ethnic group from Guinea Bissau, who undergo an initiation process starting at age 12. During this two-week period, they perform a shark dance to prepare for the challenges ahead, channeling the shark's energy, which symbolizes wildness and strength. The documentary also examines the historical relationship between humans and sharks, tracing their evolution over 400 million years and highlighting significant encounters between the two species.
The narrative shifts from the Bijagos' cultural practices to the wider effects of sharks in human history. It discusses the evolution of sharks, including the megalodon, which existed about a million years ago, and how early humans, approximately 40,000 years ago, began to hunt fish, including sharks. The film presents a complex view of sharks, not as purely good or evil, but as powerful forces of nature that have shaped human experiences and imaginations.
Why Watch
- •See how the Bijagos prepare for manhood through shark dance.
- •Find out about the megalodon's size and nature.
- •Meet fishermen who struggle with a 500-kilogram shark.
Did You Know
•Sharks began evolving 400 million years ago.
•The megalodon was the size of a whale shark and disappeared about a million years ago.
•Humans first began hunting fish, including sharks, around 40,000 years ago.
•The shark dance performed by the Bijagos symbolizes wildness and strength.
Perfect For
Cultural ritualsMarine biologyShark enthusiastsEvolutionary history