The Tiger Next Door
Encyclopedia
The Tiger Next Door is a feature length 2009 documentary film
directed and produced by Camilla Calamandrei.
s in private hands in the United States than there are roaming wild in the world. And, that it is legal in half of the United States to keep a tiger or other big cat
. The Tiger Next Door follows the story of a man named Dennis Hill who has been keeping and breeding tigers from his backyard in Flat Rock, Indiana
for over 15 years. When the film begins, Hill has recently lost his federal USDA license to keep and breed tigers, bear
s and cougars and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
is threatening to shut him down citing dangerous and inhumane conditions
. Hill has five days remaining to upgrade his facilities and place all but three of his 24 tigers, three bears, six leopard
s and one cougar in alternate homes --before the Indiana DNR will consider issuing licenses for the remaining three animals.
The 86 minute film explores Hill's past and his motivations, as well as the numerous incidence of private large wild animal breeding in the United States-- by featuring extensive interviews with Hill, his family, neighbors and friends, local DNR officials, Special Agent Tim Santel of US Fish and Wildlife
, Joe Taft director of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center
, and Carole Asvestas director of Wild Animal Orphanage. Ultimately, The Tiger Next Door draws connections between breeders like Hill and the nationwide overpopulation of domestically bred tigers. Hill's unfolding story is told against the backdrop of other news stories of tiger escapes, attacks and situations "gone bad" from around the United States. Including the story of Ming
, the tiger who was found in an apartment in Harlem, New York in 2003.
Filming for The Tiger Next Door began in 2003. The film debuted at the 2009 Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto
, Canada
. This is Calamandrei's second feature length documentary. Her first feature documentary Prisoners in Paradise dealt with the story of Italian Prisoners of war held in the United States as POWs during World War II
. It won Best of Festival at the Rhode Island International Film Festival
in 2001 and was broadcast on PBS
. Her first film, a short about ballroom dancing, premiered at Sundance Film Festival
in 1990. Calamandrei is also the producer/director of live action segments for the Jim Henson/PBS children's show Sid the Science Kid
.
(Discovery Communications
). US television broadcast premiere of a shortened version of the film was scheduled for March 25, 2010. The film has also been licensed for broadcast in Israel
, Japan
(NHK), Belgium
, Canada
(TVO) and Latin America
(LAPTV Latin). The full length, feature documentary (and bonus material) is now available on DVD at The Tiger Next Door website.
Animal Planet
Thursday, March 25, 2010 9pm EST/PST (8pm CST)
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed and produced by Camilla Calamandrei.
Synopsis
The film is a character-driven documentary, which also reveals and explores a subculture of large wild animal keeping and breeding across the United States. The film starts from the premise that there are more tigerTiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s in private hands in the United States than there are roaming wild in the world. And, that it is legal in half of the United States to keep a tiger or other big cat
Big cat
The term big cat – which is not a biological classification – is used informally to distinguish the larger felid species from smaller ones. One definition of "big cat" includes the four members of the genus Panthera: the tiger, lion, jaguar, and leopard. Members of this genus are the only cats able...
. The Tiger Next Door follows the story of a man named Dennis Hill who has been keeping and breeding tigers from his backyard in Flat Rock, Indiana
Flat Rock, Indiana
Flat Rock is an unincorporated town in Washington Township, Shelby County, Indiana.-Geography:Flat Rock is located at .Flat Rock currently has an auto-repair shop, post office, volunteer fire department, cafe , and two churches . The predominant language is English, but a few Hispanic residents...
for over 15 years. When the film begins, Hill has recently lost his federal USDA license to keep and breed tigers, bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
s and cougars and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc...
is threatening to shut him down citing dangerous and inhumane conditions
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
. Hill has five days remaining to upgrade his facilities and place all but three of his 24 tigers, three bears, six leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
s and one cougar in alternate homes --before the Indiana DNR will consider issuing licenses for the remaining three animals.
The 86 minute film explores Hill's past and his motivations, as well as the numerous incidence of private large wild animal breeding in the United States-- by featuring extensive interviews with Hill, his family, neighbors and friends, local DNR officials, Special Agent Tim Santel of US Fish and Wildlife
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
, Joe Taft director of the Exotic Feline Rescue Center
Exotic Feline Rescue Center
Exotic Feline Rescue Center is an exotic feline preserve established in 1991 and located in Center Point, Indiana.-About:The EFRC was founded in 1991 by Joe Taft. It is now a 501 nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization. The EFRC cares for endangered exotic felines such as lions, tigers,...
, and Carole Asvestas director of Wild Animal Orphanage. Ultimately, The Tiger Next Door draws connections between breeders like Hill and the nationwide overpopulation of domestically bred tigers. Hill's unfolding story is told against the backdrop of other news stories of tiger escapes, attacks and situations "gone bad" from around the United States. Including the story of Ming
Ming of Harlem
Ming was a young tiger, approximately 2 years old, who lived in an apartment on the 5th floor of a large living complex in Harlem, New York in 2003.His owner, Antoine Yates had several pets in his home, both normal and exotic...
, the tiger who was found in an apartment in Harlem, New York in 2003.
Filming for The Tiger Next Door began in 2003. The film debuted at the 2009 Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. This is Calamandrei's second feature length documentary. Her first feature documentary Prisoners in Paradise dealt with the story of Italian Prisoners of war held in the United States as POWs during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It won Best of Festival at the Rhode Island International Film Festival
Rhode Island International Film Festival
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place every year in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island as well as satellite locations throughout the state. Started in 1997, the Festival is produced by Flickers, the Newport Film/Video Society & Arts Collaborative, a 501 non-profit...
in 2001 and was broadcast on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. Her first film, a short about ballroom dancing, premiered at Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in 1990. Calamandrei is also the producer/director of live action segments for the Jim Henson/PBS children's show Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid is a half-hour PBS Kids series that debuted on September 1, 2008. The computer generated show is produced by Jim Henson Productions and then-PBS member KCET in Los Angeles, California using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio...
.
Critics' responses
- Eye WeeklyEye WeeklyEye Weekly was a free weekly newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was owned by Torstar, the parent company of the Toronto Star, and was published by their Star Media Group until its final issue on May 5, 2011. The following week, Torstar launched a successor publication, The Grid.-...
April 29, 2009 —“…an affectionate profile, a damning exposé, and an urgent missive about the dire status of the magnificent animals stalking the edges of the frame. – Adam Nayman
- AOLAOLAOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
Canada April 23, 2009 – 4 stars — It’s one thing to have a ferret, but quite another to have upwards of 60 exotic animals, including several tigers, black bears, and cougars confined in cages in your backyard. In Camilla Calamandrei’s unsettling film, we get a front-row glimpse into the life of Dennis H., a former meth addict, felon, and biker, whose apparent ‘dedication’ to the animals clouds people’s judgement. Not for the animal lover, this film questions the fine line between compassion and obsession. – Chris Jancelewicz
- NUVONUVO (newspaper)NUVO is an alternative weekly newspaper and news website serving the Indianapolis, Indiana metropolitan area. Locally owned and operated, it features news, music, film and theatre reviews, and also has sections for classifieds and other advertisements...
July 15, 2009 – TOP PICK – It’s a must-see, as a detailed character study and piece of vigilant reportage. – Scott Shoger
- FlareFlare (magazine)Flare is a Canadian fashion magazine. It is owned by Rogers Communications.Flare magazine was created in 1979, as a rebranding of Miss Chatelaine magazine. Flare promotes itself as "Canada's Fashion magazine"...
– "This movie was just downright disturbing... a must see"
- NowNOW (magazine)Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
– "fascinating, infuriating ...a great story told with intelligence, compassion and some amazing footage." - N. Wilner
- The Huffington PostThe Huffington PostThe Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
- "Beautifully made… A seamless narrative that challenges thinking adults."
Distribution
The Tiger Next Door has been licensed for television broadcast in the United States 2009-2015 by Animal PlanetAnimal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
(Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
). US television broadcast premiere of a shortened version of the film was scheduled for March 25, 2010. The film has also been licensed for broadcast in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(NHK), Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(TVO) and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
(LAPTV Latin). The full length, feature documentary (and bonus material) is now available on DVD at The Tiger Next Door website.
Film festivals
- Woodstock Film FestivalWoodstock Film FestivalThe Woodstock Film Festival is an American film festival that was begun in 1999. The festival was first conceived as a part of the Woodstock '99 Music and Arts Festival, with movies being screened as part of that event.-History:...
- Sidewalk Film Festival
- Atlantic Film FestivalAtlantic Film FestivalThe Atlantic Film Festival is an international film festival held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Held annually, the ten-day celebration of film and video from Atlantic Canada and around the world is committed to screening an inspiring and engaging collection of films and videos from Canada and the...
- Movies On The Grass
- Indianapolis International Film FestivalIndianapolis International Film Festival-Mission & General Information:Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival seeks to create a shared experience by championing films that entertain, challenge and expand perspectives in Indianapolis and beyond...
- Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
- Margaret Mead Film FestivalMargaret Mead Film FestivalThe Margaret Mead Film Festival is an annual film festival held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It is the longest-running, premiere showcase for international documentaries in the United States, encompassing a broad spectrum of work, from indigenous community media to...
- Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
- Lake County Film Festival
- Florida Film Festival
Television broadcasts
US Television Premiere (43min min version)Animal Planet
Thursday, March 25, 2010 9pm EST/PST (8pm CST)
See also
- Exotic petExotic petAn exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal pet, or an animal kept as a pet which is not commonly thought of as a pet.The definition is an evolving one; some rodents, reptiles, and amphibians have become firmly enough established in the world of animal fancy to no longer be considered exotic...
- Fatal Attractions, an Animal Planet series on injuries and deaths due to exotic pet ownership