Near the film's conclusion, there's a striking moment depicting a woman breastfeeding a baby while simultaneously nursing a piglet—just one example of the unusual imagery this captivating documentary presents as it chronicles a group’s attempt to traverse the narrowest section of Dutch New Guinea. With a small team comprised of porters and about six soldiers, three Europeans embark on a journey across roughly four hundred miles of dense jungle that had previously been untouched by outsiders. Initially utilizing rivers for travel, they encounter villagers who are welcoming and share their festivals—religious and fertility rituals showcasing shrunken heads, human bones, tattoos, and ancient beliefs. As the expedition moves further inland, their pace slows considerably, though tribespeople remain common, many of whom seem to express a desire for them to simply go away. It’s somewhat surprising that they experience food shortages during this trek! Fortunately, they maintain radio contact with base camp, enabling them to request resupply drops of both food and medicine. They readily share the medical supplies with those they meet, suggesting their journey was surprisingly smooth considering how unfamiliar these people were with them, their technology—including cameras, firearms, and radios. Nature, however, proved less gentle, and as they struggle across peaks exceeding ten thousand feet, the team dwindles, yet they remain committed to reaching the safety of the northern coast and witnessing the ocean for what many consider a first time. The film's photography is truly remarkable, not only due to its exceptional quality but also because it captures people’s behavior in an apparently natural way. From large gatherings to more private rituals surrounding childbirth—bodies marked with birthmarks and scars; villages situated along rivers that have endured for generations—it appears they disrupt these communities as little as possible. This film powerfully underscores human vulnerability. Without their equipment, and the generous and inquisitive assistance of those they encountered, these travelers would likely have perished in a vibrant, colorful, and dangerous environment capable of consuming them entirely. It's a place I hope we never return to, and that these customs are allowed to persist for many years—untouched by modern civilization.

Source on TMDB