From 1957 to 1964 Rouch followed the Gaos hunters in the Yatakala region making several attempts to film the ancient lion hunt, in which skill and magic are closely intertwined: the making of bows and arrows; the preparation of poison; the chase; the killing ritual. The old man-eater lion, nicknamed "˜the American', keeps avoiding the traps; the Gaos only manage to catch two of his females. After the hunt the men tell their children the story of "˜gaway gawey', the wonderful lion hunt.
It was awarded the "˜Leone d'Oro'at the XXVI International Cinematographic Exhibition of Venice in 1965.
It was awarded the "˜Leone d'Oro'at the XXVI International Cinematographic Exhibition of Venice in 1965.
