The Hunting Party 2007
Directed by
Richard Shepard
Made by
Weinstein Company, The
Plot Summary
After years spent chronicling one conflict after another, journalist Simon Hunt faces a breakdown during a live report on the Bosnian War. While his professional life plunges into chaos, his longtime cameraman Duck ascends in his career, landing a comfortable position at the network. Meanwhile, Simon struggles, moving from one war zone to another, desperately hunting for a chance to reclaim his former glory.
Fast forward a few years, Duck returns to Bosnia, tasked with creating a “puff piece” on network anchor Franklin Harris (played by James Brolin) while covering a peace treaty. He is joined by a fresh-faced journalist named Benjamin, who also happens to be the son of the network’s vice president. It’s during this period that Duck unexpectedly runs into Simon, who has become a cynical freelancer desperate for a major scoop to regain his lost credibility.
During their reunion, Simon reveals that he has a lead on the whereabouts of Dragoslav Bogdanovic, infamously dubbed “The Fox,” a war criminal with a hefty price of $5 million on his head. Simon suggests that he has traced The Fox to the village of Elebii in Republika Srpska, close to the Montenegro border. Intrigued and convinced by Simon’s audacity, Duck decides to join him, with Benjamin tagging along.
As they make their way to find this notorious figure, Simon shares his reckless plan for capturing The Fox—an idea that both Duck and Benjamin deem ludicrous. Their journey takes a harrowing turn as they are mistaken for CIA operatives by several factions, including the United Nations police and Serbian forces. At one point, they concoct a story of being CIA agents, leveraging this pretense to avoid a fee for a tip.
The peril escalates when Duck, Simon, and Benjamin are apprehended by The Fox’s guards and brought to a barn for execution. Just as all seems lost, a team of CIA assassins storms in to rescue them, although The Fox manages to escape in the chaos. It becomes increasingly clear that even within the international community, there are factions that oppose the capture of The Fox.
The CIA attempts to whisk the journalists back to the United States, but defying orders, they escape with a singular purpose: to capture The Fox. In a dramatic turn, they manage to corner him during a solitary hunting excursion in the woods, ultimately confronting him. In a moment steeped in complexity, they choose to release The Fox, binding his hands securely and letting him navigate a village haunted by the remnants of his wartime atrocities.
Timeline
Simon Hunt's Breakdown
During a live report on the Bosnian War, journalist Simon Hunt faces a public breakdown. This moment marks a significant low point in his career, forcing him to confront the toll that years of war reporting have taken on his psyche.
Duck's Career Advancement
In the aftermath of Simon's breakdown, his longtime cameraman, Duck, ascends in the network. Duck secures a stable and comfortable position, highlighting a stark contrast to Simon's tumultuous journey.
Simon's Desperation
As time passes, Simon struggles to find his footing, moving from one war zone to another. His relentless pursuit for a chance to reclaim his former glory leads him deeper into chaos.
Duck Returns to Bosnia
Years later, Duck is sent back to Bosnia to create a 'puff piece' on network anchor Franklin Harris while covering a peace treaty. This assignment brings him back to the land filled with memories of conflict and his past with Simon.
Meeting Benjamin
During his assignment, Duck meets Benjamin, a fresh-faced journalist and the son of the network’s vice president. Their partnership begins to form as they embark on the journey of filming the peace treaty.
Reunion with Simon
Duck unexpectedly runs into Simon, who has fallen far from his former glories. Their conversation reignites memories of their past, with Simon revealing his desperate search for a significant story to lift himself back up.
The Lead on The Fox
Simon shares his intel about Dragoslav Bogdanovic, known as 'The Fox,' a war criminal with a $5 million bounty. He believes he has located The Fox in a village called Elebii, leading Duck to contemplate this risky venture.
Setting Out on a Reckless Journey
Intrigued by Simon's audacity, Duck decides to join him on his quest to find The Fox, with Benjamin in tow. The trio undertakes a daunting journey, highlighted by an evident disregard for personal safety.
Mistaken for CIA Operatives
Their journey takes a dangerous turn as they are mistaken for CIA agents by various factions, including the United Nations police. To navigate this precarious situation, they feign being American intelligence operatives.
Capture by The Fox's Guards
The tension escalates when the trio is captured by The Fox's guards and taken to a barn for execution. They find themselves in dire peril, their fate hanging by a thread in the hands of ruthless men.
Rescue by CIA Assassins
In a twist of fate, CIA assassins storm the barn just as all seems lost. However, in the chaos of the rescue, The Fox manages to escape, illustrating the complexities of the conflict.
Defying CIA Orders
Despite attempts by the CIA to return them to the United States, Simon, Duck, and Benjamin choose to escape. Their shared obsession with capturing The Fox drives them to defy orders and take control of their mission.
Confrontation in the Woods
The trio successfully tracks down The Fox during a solitary hunting trip in the woods. They prepare for a confrontation that could forever alter their destinies as well as the fate of The Fox.
The Choice to Release The Fox
In a moment heavy with moral complexity, the journalists choose to release The Fox after binding his hands. They allow him to navigate a nearby village, haunted by the horrors of his past actions.
Reflections on War and Morality
The decision to let The Fox go prompts deep reflections for Simon, Duck, and Benjamin on war crimes and the pursuit of truth. Their experience leaves a lasting impact, challenging their beliefs about justice and morality.
Characters
Simon Hunt (Richard Gere)
Simon Hunt is a seasoned journalist grappling with the ghosts of his past as he faces a personal and professional breakdown. His relentless pursuit of a major scoop reflects his desire for redemption and a return to former glory, despite the ethical complexities that arise during his quest.
Duck (Terrence Howard)
Duck is Simon’s longtime cameraman who rises to a respectable position in the news network while navigating the challenges of war journalism. His loyalty to Simon highlights his character's depth, balancing ambition with friendship as they embark on a perilous journey.
Benjamin (Jesse Eisenberg)
Benjamin is a fresh-faced journalist eager to prove himself, yet often caught in the shadows of his predecessors. His relationship with Duck and Simon reveals his growth as he grapples with the harsh realities of war and journalism fandom.
Setting
Time period
Post-Bosnian War
Set in the aftermath of the Bosnian War, the timeline reflects the chaotic transition from conflict to an attempt at peace. The film showcases the challenges faced by journalists in a politically fraught environment, highlighting issues of credibility and moral dilemmas in wartime reporting.
Location
Bosnia, Elebii, Republika Srpska
The movie primarily takes place in Bosnia, a country known for its rich history and tumultuous past, especially during the Bosnian War. The village of Elebii, located in Republika Srpska near the Montenegro border, serves as a significant backdrop for the film's climax, symbolizing a place filled with the haunting memories of war.
Themes
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Journalism
The theme of journalism is central to the narrative, exploring the responsibility and ethical dilemmas faced by reporters. It delves into the struggles of maintaining journalistic integrity in a world where sensationalism often reigns. Simon's quest for credibility serves as a critique of the media's role in conflict zones.
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Morality
Morality plays a crucial role in the film as the characters wrestle with the consequences of their choices. The decision to release The Fox at the climax poses significant ethical questions about justice and retribution, reflecting the complexity of human behavior in the context of war and its aftermath.
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Loss
Loss permeates the characters' journeys, influencing their motivations and actions. Simon's personal struggles illustrate the psychological toll of war reporting, while the backdrop of a war-torn Bosnia serves as a constant reminder of what has been lost, both physically and morally.
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