The Laughing Alligator
Synopsis
Merging the subjective and the objective, the autobiographical and the anthropological, The Laughing Alligator is a highly personal observation of an indigenous South American culture. Recorded while he and his family were living among the Yanomami of Venezuela, this compelling work distills Downey's search for his own cultural identity and heritage through the encounter between the Western family and the so-called "primitive" tribe. Challenging the anthropological view of the Yanomami as violent cannibals, Downey focuses on the tribe's myths, rituals and ceremonies, documenting funerary rites in which tribal members eat the pulverized ashes of their dead to insure their immortality. Subverting conventional modes of ethnographic documentary, Downey participates as an active presence, "shooting" with his video camera as a means of creating an interactive dialogue between artist and subject and addressing his own "yearning for a purer existence."
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 1, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Juan Downey
- Original Title
- The Laughing Alligator
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 27m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Juan Downey
Department Leadership Roster
Juan Downey
Director
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Laughing Alligator.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Laughing Alligator.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Laughing Alligator
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Laughing Alligator about?
Merging the subjective and the objective, the autobiographical and the anthropological, The Laughing Alligator is a highly personal observation of an indigenous South American culture. Recorded while he and his family were living among the Yanomami of Venezuela, this compelling work distills Downey's search for his own cultural identity and heritage through the encounter between the Western family and the so-called "primitive" tribe. Challenging the anthropological view of the Yanomami as violent cannibals, Downey focuses on the tribe's myths, rituals and ceremonies, documenting funerary rites in which tribal members eat the pulverized ashes of their dead to insure their immortality. Subverting conventional modes of ethnographic documentary, Downey participates as an active presence, "shooting" with his video camera as a means of creating an interactive dialogue between artist and subject and addressing his own "yearning for a purer existence."
Who directed The Laughing Alligator?
The Laughing Alligator was directed by Juan Downey.
Who stars in The Laughing Alligator?
The principal cast of The Laughing Alligator includes Not specified.
When was The Laughing Alligator released and how long is it?
The Laughing Alligator was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 27m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Laughing Alligator?
The Laughing Alligator holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).