Watch When Lambs Become Lions

When Lambs Become Lions is an award-winning documentary film directed and produced by Jon Kasbe. The movie explores the complex dynamics of the Kenyan ivory trade and the people who are affected by it in different ways. The film is shot beautifully, with stunning scenery and intimate access to the people at the heart of the story. The movie is centered around two main characters: Asan, a young ivory poacher, and X, a wildlife ranger who is tasked with fighting poaching. The two men are cousins, and their families have been on opposite sides of the ivory trade for generations. Asan is trying to provide for his family and feels that poaching is the only option he has. X, on the other hand, is passionate about protecting the wildlife he grew up around and believes that poaching is driving the animals he loves to extinction.

Asan and X are both complex characters, and the movie explores their motivations and challenges in depth. Asan is driven by a desire to provide for his family, but he is also aware of the danger he faces as a poacher. He struggles with the morality of his actions and their impact on the environment. Meanwhile, X is committed to his work but is also aware of the impact of poaching on the communities around him. He hopes to find a way to protect both the wildlife and the people.

The movie also includes interviews with other people involved in the ivory trade, including ivory traders, middlemen, and buyers. These interviews provide a fascinating glimpse into the different perspectives on the trade and its impact on the people and wildlife of Kenya.

One of the most striking things about When Lambs Become Lions is its visual style. The movie is shot in a way that captures the beauty of the African landscape as well as the harsh realities of poaching. There are sweeping shots of the savannah, close-ups of the animals, and tense moments when poachers are on the hunt. The movie is a feast for the eyes, and its imagery is both beautiful and haunting.

The movie also has a powerful soundtrack, featuring traditional Kenyan music and original compositions by composer Dave Cerf. The music enhances the emotional impact of the film, helping to convey the passion and pain of the people on screen.

Overall, When Lambs Become Lions is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on a complex issue. It is a deeply humanistic film that tells the story of the people involved in the ivory trade, rather than simply demonizing poachers or glorifying rangers. The movie is a moving portrait of a world in which humans and animals are struggling to survive, and the choices they must make in the face of difficult circumstances.

When Lambs Become Lions is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 75.