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The Sky Above, the Mud Below

Play trailer Poster for The Sky Above, the Mud Below Released Jun 19, 1962 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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In 1959, a group of European explorers set out to document the native culture of Dutch New Guinea. They commence a harrowing seven-month trek across the island, from the south coast to the north coast, during which some members of the team perish. Along the way, they encounter many fascinating villages and immortalize native traditions on film -- among them, cannibalism and rites such as sleeping on skulls. The local wildlife is also extensively featured.

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine An uncommonly interesting French-made documentary about a 1959 expedition into the timeless jungles of Dutch New Guinea, one of the last unexplored areas in the world. Oct 7, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Reminded me of Jared Diamond's book Guns, Germs, and Steel, since he spent several years in New Guinea studying the culture there. In this doc, a group of French explorers with a group of native porters from one of the colonized towns traverse an unmapped area of New Guinea. It takes them almost a year, from late 1959 through early 1960, to trek from the south shore to the north shore through the Dutch owned side of the island. We are not permitted to get to know the individual members of the expedition much, but, yet, the color photography and the narrator's descriptions of their obstacles keep your attention surprisingly well. Despite the narrator reminding us constantly of the primitiveness and cannibalism of the tribes in the uncivilized island interior, the explorers seem to be on a genuinely friendly mission. They are not there to convert, or civilize, or demand supplies. The expeditioners just want to observe and survive the trip. In fact, because of extreme weather and tropical diseases, several members die or become seriously ill. Since many tribes are unwilling to share their limited resources, they must rely on Dutch pilots to fly over and make drops of food and medical supplies. It is a very strenuous journey! Arthur Cohn, who produced this and Annaud's Black and White in Color (the two films appear on the same DVD), gives several insights about film-making in the special features that are included with this chronicle of "modern day" explorers trying to catch a glimpse of one of the last untouched spots on our globe and the people who live there as if in another era. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating and morally troubling documentary of an expedition into unexplored New Guinea. Certainly of its time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1959, a group of European explorers set out to document the native culture of Dutch New Guinea. They commence a harrowing seven-month trek across the island, from the south coast to the north coast, during which some members of the team perish. Along the way, they encounter many fascinating villages and immortalize native traditions on film -- among them, cannibalism and rites such as sleeping on skulls. The local wildlife is also extensively featured.
Director
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Producer
Arthur Cohn, Rene Lafuite
Screenwriter
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Distributor
Embassy Pictures
Production Co
Ardennes Films, Société Parisienne de Cinéma (SPC), Michael Arthur Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 19, 1962, Original
Runtime
1h 30m