The Hyena Men

[48:38]

It’s said they possess supernatural powers, some believe they are part-hyena – in truth, no one really knows. Set in the thick of the urban chaos of Nigeria, this startling and controversial film explores the wild world of “The Hyena Men” – a street-gang who use a bizarre blend of voodoo and dangerous animals to make a living. The documentary gets beneath the surface of this unique street circus and reveals a way of life steeped in secret ritual, black magic and ancient African tradition. The film examines the clash between the urban and the wild and uncovers the paradoxical relationship that the Hyena Men have with their menagerie of animals; sometimes doting and affectionate, sometimes brutal and cruel.

[Video and text source: Barcroft Animals YouTube channel]