Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale

Before travelling to Peru in 1955, 78-year-old Tobias Schneebaum was a reasonably successful artist. As this life did not satisfy him, he became an anthropologist. For some time, he dwelt among an Indian tribe that was living completely isolated at the time, the Amarakaire in Peru, who were famous for their cannibalism. In his research of the tribe, Schneebaum went as far as eating human flesh himself. Forty-five years later, at the film crew’s insistence, he pays a visit to the last surviving members of the tribe, some of whom actually recognise him. Schneebaum has never been able to cope with his memories of his days as a cannibal, he confesses to the camera. He wrote a notorious book about his experiences with the Indians, the title of which was derived from this film. As an anthropologist, Schneebaum later visited a tribe in New Guinea, the Asmat, who are famed for their artful woodcarvings. Homosexuality among men was very common in this tribe, and Schneebaum had a native lover, too. On returning to the tribe, he finds out that his former sweetheart is still alive. The reunion between the two elderly men is very touching. The amiable Schneebaum is currently working on a cruise ship, giving lectures on the Asmat culture. Schneebaum has never had much money, and still does not aspire to wealth. According to him, the dominance of Western civilisation has led to priceless values from ancient cultures vanishing; humanity being one of these.travelling to Peru in 1955, 78-year-old Tobias Schneebaum was a reasonably successful artist. As this life did not satisfy him, he became an anthropologist. For some time, he dwelt among an Indian tribe that was living completely isolated at the time, the Amarakaire in Peru, who were famous for their cannibalism. In his research of the tribe, Schneebaum went as far as eating human flesh himself. Forty-five years later, at the film crew’s insistence, he pays a visit to the last surviving members of the tribe, some of whom actually recognise him. Schneebaum has never been able to cope with his memories of his days as a cannibal, he confesses to the camera. He wrote a notorious book about his experiences with the Indians, the title of which was derived from this film. As an anthropologist, Schneebaum later visited a tribe in New Guinea, the Asmat, who are famed for their artful woodcarvings. Homosexuality among men was very common in this tribe, and Schneebaum had a native lover, too. On returning to the tribe, he finds out that his former sweetheart is still alive. The reunion between the two elderly men is very touching. The amiable Schneebaum is currently working on a cruise ship, giving lectures on the Asmat culture. Schneebaum has never had much money, and still does not aspire to wealth. According to him, the dominance of Western civilisation has led to priceless values from ancient cultures vanishing; humanity being one of these. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)