The film DEAD BIRDS is about the Dani people, who live in the Grand Valley of the Baliem high in the mountains of West Irian. In 1961, when the film was shot, the Dani had a unique Neolithic culture centered around intertribal warfare and revenge. The neighboring clans would engage in formal battles, and each death would need to be avenged to balance the spirits of the aggrieved and satisfy the ghosts of the slain. Wars were a way for the Dani to keep harmony in their life, which would otherwise be hard and dull without the strife. The term "DEAD BIRDS" refers to the weapons and ornaments recovered in battle, but also has a poetic meaning, as the Dani believe people must die like birds. The film aimed to capture the Dani way of life and explore universal human themes.
Dead Birds
The film explores the intricate social structures of the Dani tribe, revealing the nuances of their warfare and revenge traditions, which shape their cultural identity.
