Tigerland

It's really lovely.

Nimbly negotiating its geography and parallel narratives, Tigerland is, on the one hand, a wildlife film by a filmmaker from outside that genre. The genre certainly benefits.

"Tigerland" falls into a common trap of advocacy documentaries, which is to inform on an urgent issue - preserving a species - without a particularly urgent cinematic narrative to match it.

While "Tigerland" takes some time to find its footing, Kauffman eventually finds connections that go far beyond the superficial.

The chance to view so many gorgeous, majestic tigers up close and personal is alone enough to recommend Ross Kauffman's fine documentary "Tigerland."

Kauffman has crafted an enjoyable armchair adventure that juggles the archival imagery, engaging present-day personalities and glimpses of the magnificent creatures themselves at a leisurely yet absorbing pace.

The film comes to feel so insular yet so immensely important and at times even delves into thriller territory.

Though Kauffman is not always successful in balancing his two primary stories, this is still an interesting film which delivers a good balance of information, anecdote and observation. For tiger lovers, it's a must.

Ultimately, the struggle to save the tiger is tied to the struggle to save humanity. A valuable, beautiful and troubling film.

A documentary about a century of conservation efforts to save tigers in India and Russia.