The film, which was released last week, “grapples with the consequences of imposing economic value on animals”, exploring the ideas of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation.
It asks whether monetizing endangered species is necessary in order to save them: John Hume, a rhino farmer, is seen periodically cutting off his animals’ horns in order to save them from poachers, and stockpiling them where they become incredibly valuable.
Co-director Shaul Schwarz said, in a clip seen above: “To me, what was hard was putting economic value on an animal. That was something very hard to swallow; I hated it.
“I was appalled by it, and I still hate the idea of trophy hunting.
“It ties to a model of economic value: if it pays, it stays.
“What to me is ironic is when we met John [Hume], who ties to the same ideology yet is using an economic value that doesn’t kill the animal, there is still the huge [idea of] ‘you should never do that’.”
Trophy amassed a huge 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its first screenings, with critics hailing it for its incredibly frank look at such a divisive industry.
The Guardian called it “a film to raise your blood pressure”, while the Washington Post said it “neither shames its subjects nor offers an easy solution”.
“Your blood will curdle and boil,” added The Sun.
Trophy is in cinemas and on DVD and Digital Download now.