Between Eagle’s Gaze and Modern Life – A Portrait of Living Tradition
In the vast landscapes of Mongolia’s Altai Mountains, where wind, cold, and silence shape everyday life, a young girl carries an ancient tradition into the future. Black Eyes tells the story of Kharakoz – and of a culture in motion.
Mit gerade einmal 13 Jahren gehört Kharakoz zu einer kleinen, aber wachsenden Gruppe junger At just 13 years old, Kharakoz is one of a small but growing number of young female eagle hunters in western Mongolia. Deeply rooted in Kazakh heritage, the art of eagle hunting has traditionally been passed down through male lineage. Today, however, social change and evolving perspectives are allowing girls to inherit this knowledge for the first time.
On horseback, accompanied by her golden eagle Akshegir, Kharakoz follows ancestral hunting routes across the Altai Mountains. In the region’s harsh winters, she hunts small game with patience, precision, and remarkable calm. During the week, she attends school in the city; on weekends, she returns home to train with her eagle – living between modern education and ancient ritual.
Directed by Mateo Arango Guerrero, Black Eyes sensitively portrays this balance. With restrained cinematography and deep respect for its subjects, the film reveals tradition not as something frozen in time, but as a living practice – one that evolves without losing its essence.
Kharakoz’s story is a quiet yet powerful reminder that cultural heritage can grow, adapt, and endure.
Black Eyes is a meditation on continuity, dedication, and the coexistence of past and present – a film about how tradition survives when it is allowed to breathe.
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NOWNESS is a curated video platform showcasing original storytelling at the intersection of art, design, fashion, culture, and social change. It presents films by international creatives, offering thoughtful perspectives that inspire and resonate.
