Pecking Order, 2017.
Directed by Slavko Martinov.
SYNOPSIS:
Fierce rivalries, club infighting, problematic birds and irregular judging are just some of the challenges faced by a group of zealous Kiwi chicken breeders hell-bent on victory at the 2015 National Poultry Show.
A documentary about competitive chicken breeding doesn’t sound like it will be entertaining, but somehow Slavko Martinov’s lovingly crafted documentary is enthralling, heart-warming and funny.
In the lead up to the 148th National Poultry Show, tensions are running high for at the Christchurch Poultry, Bantam & Pigeon Club and no one knows who’ll still be friends and who’ll be in charge on the big day.
Pecking Order starts by introducing us to the members of the club and they range from fathers and their sons, eccentric farmers and young girls who all want a shot at the title. What’s immediately apparent is that this documentary isn’t about chicken breeding, it is more about the range of different people for whom this is their number one hobby and something that consumes their lives. As one of their members puts it “it’s like alcoholism, you just can’t give it up”. That’s what makes Pecking Order such an entertaining film. It’s not packed with tons of information about how to breed chickens, it’s about a group of people who live and breathe this world and to whom it is the most important thing.
Tension comes when there’s a debate over who should be leading the club. This leads to accusations of sabotage, improper judging and even a closed meeting where the cameras are excluded. Despite no personal interest in chickens, I found Pecking Order fascinating and at times laugh out loud hilarious. One shot of one of the breeders talking about his love of chickens followed by him munching down on some KFC is editing at its finest.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Helen Murdoch
Originally published September 26, 2017. Updated April 18, 2018.
