Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale

I first heard of this documentary from an ethics professor in undergrad in 2005, although she mistakenly said that the subject was a man from Germany. Anyway, I've finally gotten around to seeing "Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale". Basically, it's about how the protagonist, having only known the structured world of the US, ventured to these isolated villages in Peru and Papua New Guinea and found that he identified with them more than with life in the US.

The documentary won't be for everyone. In addition to the shocking title, some of the practices in the villages will be shocking for us in the west. But if you can keep an open mind, then this documentary will be one of the most refreshing and edifying works that you've ever seen. It's enough to make you want to visit the villages (but make sure to let the people there live their original way of life).

It's rare that you see a documentary as well balanced as this movie. The blend of Tobias's daily life with his adventures in Peru really show both sides of the man. In truth he is a very simple person, but for whatever reason his life sends him visiting ancient cultures in South America. He is a man of many contradictions.

While the movie is about Tobias overally, it provides interesting commentary on a number of subjects: loss of culture, aging, homosexuality, even a little commentary on the voyeuristic act of the documentary itself. It's this richness of information that makes the movie so compelling.

Unfortunately the filming style is high-handed and sometimes is disruptive. It breaks the old adage that the best camerawork is the kind that is not noticed. Throughout the movie there are annoying closeups and jerky camera movement that is more distracting than useful.

Overall, I highly recommend this movie. I'd give it a 9 out of 10. The film style is annoying but the story is first rate. You won't be disappointed.

One word in the title makes for unfortunate marketing... but once that hiccup passed, this is a very beautiful and thoughtful film.

The profound story of a strangely unique, yet average, man. Dealing with the dichotomy of civilised vs primitive. The dichotomy between the jungle of New York City and the jungles of Peru and Papua New Guinea. But which is really the 'civilised' one? The dichotomy about time which passes, but at the same time doesn't. The dichotomy of fear and strength. The dichotomy of love and loneliness.

In the end, a film about the very fundamentals of life, as experienced by an intelligent and perceptive man.

I read Schneebaum's book (same title as this film) when it was first published and was deeply moved by his ability to see through the many ways of "otherness" (his own and the people of the Amazon with whom he lived and loved) to a way of living a decent life. His subsequent books were not as powerful, but showed his continuing quest. His description of his sexual relations with the men of the tribe was way ahead of its time in the early 60's, but his honesty and openness about it were welcome. This movie beautifully conveys both the quirkiness and generosity of the man, but also provides a glimpse into the inevitable destruction of innocence (which is not a morally positive term, in this case) that occurs when "civilized" men intrude on traditional societies. Even so, Schneebaum himself has moved into a kind of higher innocence that suggests the possibility of saving humanity from its own destructiveness.

As so many that come across this film, I was intrigued with the subtitle "A Modern Cannibal Tale." Unlike a lot of those who write their reviews angered that cannibalism is not the primary focus of the documentary, I was still enthralled. "Keep the River On Your Right" is not unlike the inspirational journeys of "The Human Experience" or even "Into the Wild." That the doc follows the man who lived these experiences decades later as he revisits the primitive locales only further underlines the profound impacts his travels had on his life and makes the contrast even more stark.

If you're a teenager expecting a snuff film, then yes, you will be disappointed. Even more so if you're inclined to turn your nose up at homosexuality or same-sex relationships. You'll be disappointed and most likely you will write your scathing review on Netflix or IMDb about how you have no interest in watching a movie about an "old gay guy." Those that are open enough to listen to Tobias Schneebaum's recollections and personal discoveries will find themselves pondering whether current society or the primitive savages are more barabaric in existence and practices. Much can be learned about ourselves if we take the opportunity to learn from those different from us. That theory proved true for Schneebaum in his travels. Give the film a chance with a corrected idea of what to expect going in and it will prove true for you as well.