Synopsis
HIGHLY PERCHED refers to the (film) culture of ethnographic observation. In the forest, hunters erect two high perches directly facing each other, while being observed by an observer sitting on a hill. The construction and ceremonial opening of the hunting-useless installation seem like distant, solemn rituals, and the hunter-actors – fully aware of their own traditions, which have become fragile – talk about not shooting, the first shot and their ethical attachment to the hunted "piece".In the densely wooded area around Battenberg (Eder), Germany, filmmaker and artist Oliver Gather accompanied the protagonists on their hunts. He conducted interviews, visited hunting horn blowers and heard how it feels to be face to face with the game, deciding over life and death.
