Experiencing Interruptions?

"Fragile Beauty", A Visual Journey

Traveling to the remote Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia Alan and Wendy Stuart Kaplan discover a culture of tribal people who worship, live, dress, and adorn themselves as they have for centuries. The question is, "how different are they than us and how long will they remain that way?"

Join us as we discover their colorful and often extreme fashion, traditional body paintings, the meaning of they're elaborate piercings and a how their ordinary lives are being forced to change.

Today they live with the challenges of living in a developing world where their attempts to sustain their unique and diverse culture is already being threatened. These are beautiful people who are holding back as they are forced to accept current lifestyles of the outside world.

  • Wendy Stuart Kaplan
    Director
  • Alan Kaplan
    Director
  • Wendy Stuart Kaplan
    Writer
    She's the Last Model Standing
  • Wendy Stuart Kaplin
    Producer
  • Alan Kaplan
    Producer
  • Wendy Stuart
    Key Cast
  • Olisarali Olibui
    Key Cast
    Shooting with Mursi
  • Alan Kaplan
    Photography
  • Alan Kaplan
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 15, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Ethiopia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Golden Door International Film Festival 2018
    Jersey City
    United States
    September 22, 2018
    Short Documentry
  • Chelsea Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    October 21, 2017
  • The African Film Festival (TAFF)
    Dallas, TX
    United States
    June 30, 2017
  • West African Film Festival
    Houston, TX
    United States
    February 8, 2017
  • The Set NYC presents: Short Films At Lovecraft NYC
    New York City
    United States
    January 23, 2017
    NYC Premeere
    not shown yet
  • Women's Only Entertainment Film Festival (WOEFF
    On Line
    United States
    January 20, 2017
    On Line Premiere
    not shown yet
  • Sweet As Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    January 28, 2017
    Honorable Mention
  • Independent Film Night at the Newtown Theatre
    Newtown, PA
    United States
    June 1, 2017
  • The People's Public Media Awards of Excellence
    New York, NY
    United States
    May 31, 2017
  • IIPMF 2017
    ON Line Film Festival
    May 30, 2017
  • Miami Independent Film Festival
    Miami, FL
    United States
    January 3, 2017
  • Los Angeles CineFest
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    January 14, 2017
  • Llanberis Adventure & Mountain Film Festival
    Snowdonia
    United Kingdom
    March 3, 2017
  • Female Filmmakers Film Festival
    On Line
    March 21, 2017
  • Sweet As Film Festival
    Montreal, Quebec
    Canada
    January 26, 2017
    Honorable Mention
  • Miami Epic Trailer Festival
    Miami, FL
    United States
    August 21, 2017
  • Forwardian Film Festival
    Stroudsburg, PA
    United States
    July 28, 2017
  • Black Bear Film Festival
    Milford, PA
    United States
    October 15, 2016
    North American Premiere
    Sold out - having a second screening in January
Distribution Information
  • Roosters At Huntingtower, LLC
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video / Disc
Director Biography - Wendy Stuart Kaplan, Alan Kaplan

Model With A Mission is a series of videos I've created, interviewing an international group of people and experts, who are protecting endangered species.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“The Omo Valley’s indigenous people are under attack by globalization that has infiltrated their villages with disease, mistrust and discord,” said Wendy Kaplan. “Sadly lifestyles that had changed little in centuries are now on the verge of disappearing. We are proud to have documented an incredible culture.”