Becoming a Man

To achieve this dual status in Central Africa, Banda must climb giant trees to gather honey, the elixir of life, whereas Kolé in Ethiopia must embark on a long journey, which will take him to the bull jumping ceremony.

From the north to the south of the huge expanse of Siberia, people have kept their roots and perpetuated their ancient culture of nomadic animal breeders. Edik, Altagan and Dsolbo, children of the steppes and of the tundra, all lovers of dry and often hostile lands, will have to retain the teachings of their elders in their hearts if they are to become true men.

To achieve this adult status in Melanesia, Junior from Kontu island in Papua has to capture a shark armed only with a lasso and a propeller, whereas Wabak from Pentecost island in Vanuatu has to jump from a wooden tower, his ankle bound with thick vines.

In the Kayapo community of northern Brazil, young adolescents must face a terrible challenge to reach adulthood: confront Amyu, a giant wasp that builds nests as big as men, on top of the highest trees of the forest. By enduring hundreds of painful stings, boys prove they are ready to become strong and brave men.

In the remote kingdom of Zanskar, in the northern Himalayas, Becoming Woman recounts the true and moving story of a friendship shattered by destiny when two young girls have to part and leave their village and their families forever to become women.

In Southern Ethiopia, 11 year-old Wario belongs to the Borana, a semi-nomadic tribe renowned for salt trading in the region. It is time for him to prove to himself and to his family that he is a real Borana, and can take on important responsibilities in the community.

In the snow-covered plains of northern Mongolia, the Tsaatan nomads are a proud and free people who live off hunting and gathering. They travel on the backs of reindeer. Quizilol and the beautiful Solongo are in love. They dream of getting married and settling down.To prove that he is man enough to marry, the adolescent must show he is capable of raising a herd of reindeer by himself.

The wild bee of Nepal is the largest bee species in the world - its sting is potentially fatal. Only the bravest and toughest still face the challenge of gathering the wild honey. Moti will climb for the first time and will take us on three spectacular ascents. He will confront the dizzying void off the cliffs and the terrible daggers of the bees.

At the crossroads between past and present, the Inuit people have to face the many changes brought about by modernity. Deeply influenced by North American culture, the younger generation have a hard time perpetuating their ancestors' rituals and traditional skills.