The ethics and environmental impact of trophy hunting—the recreational hunting of big game in the wild—has divided scientists, lawmakers, hunters, and the general public for decades. One of the most notable cases to make headlines came in 2015, when an American dentist shot and killed a locally beloved lion named Cecil on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe. Just last year, the US lifted an Obama-era ban on the importation of big game trophies, like the remains of elephants and lions, from Zimbabwe and Zambia. Instead, the Fish and Wildlife Service says they are now evaluating importation permits on a “case-by-case” basis.
The January 25th release of Nadav Harel and Toma Almagor’s latest documentary, King of Beasts, feels particularly timely given the continued controversy of the practice. Scored by NYUSPS CALA instructor Simon Taufique, the film provides a complex look at lion hunting in Africa, and seeks to understand the perspective of those who feel that their participation in the sport is a benefit to the species’ conservation. Watch the trailer here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3953420/videoplayer/vi2355215129
Taufique also composed the score for another acclaimed documentary released in May of 2018. In The Interpreters, directors Andres Caballero and Sofian Khan tell the story of three interpreters attempting to rebuild their lives after working with US military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the US, they were a vital part of the war effort. To their fellow countrymen, they are considered traitors. The film captures the weight of the risks felt by the men and their families as they await their opportunity for a new beginning: relocation to the US permitted by the Special Immigrant Visas they were promised as compensation for their services.
Simon Taufique will be teaching Introduction to Producing TV and Films this Spring, starting February 13th. Register for the course by phone at (212) 998-7150 or on our website: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/courses/PENT1-CE9888-introduction-to-producing-films-and-tv.html