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"H Is for Hawk": A Woman and Her Bird of Prey
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Culture & Society

"H Is for Hawk": A Woman and Her Bird of Prey

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • "H Is for Hawk" is a film adaptation of Helen Macdonald's memoir about coping with grief by training a goshawk.
  • The film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, depicts a young academic's unusual mourning process after her father's death.
  • While not as impactful as Ken Loach's "Kes," the film is considered recommendable for its portrayal of a unique coping mechanism.

Philippa Lowthorpe's film "H Is for Hawk" explores the unconventional path to healing taken by a young academic after the sudden death of her beloved father. Based on Helen Macdonald's 2014 memoir, the movie follows the protagonist as she immerses herself in falconry, adopting a goshawk as a means to navigate her profound grief. The film portrays her journey from a disengaged university assistant to someone finding solace and purpose in the demanding art of training a bird of prey.

Set against the backdrop of England's traditional countryside sports, the story draws parallels with Ken Loach's iconic 1970 film "Kes," which also centered on a boy's bond with a kestrel. However, Lowthorpe's directorial approach is described as more conventional, lacking the raw emotional power of Loach's work. Despite this, "H Is for Hawk" is deemed a recommendable watch for its sensitive depiction of a unique mourning process and the intricate relationship between human and animal.

Not really in the same league, due to overly conventional staging, but still recommendable.

— Film criticDescribing the film's artistic merit in comparison to other works.

The film delves into the academic's personal life, highlighting her lack of stable emotional connections prior to her father's passing. Her decision to train a goshawk becomes a central element of her recovery, offering a tangible focus amidst emotional turmoil. The narrative explores the challenges and rewards of this intense pursuit, showcasing how the wildness of the bird mirrors her own internal struggles and eventual healing.

H Is for Hawk tells the story of a young woman's strange mourning process after adopting a goshawk.

— Film descriptionSummarizing the central theme and plot of the film.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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