The Indian daredevils who feel at home in the Well of Death | Aeon Videos

"A staple of rural Indian festivals for decades, the Well of Death features motorcyclists - and the occasional car driver - performing death-defying stunts while circling 18-metre-high walls."

"They also address the genuine dangers involved, including their injuries and the deaths of friends, as well as how competition from smartphones has diminished the popularity of the act, leaving the performers' future uncertain."

"JIJO pairs these accounts with gripping, immersive footage of the performances, underscored by the guttural, thunderous roar of the engines."

The Well of Death showcases motorcyclists and occasional car drivers circling 18-metre-high walls while performing death-defying stunts at rural Indian festivals. Performers describe being drawn to the act by thrills, freedom, camaraderie, and unconventional life paths. The work carries genuine dangers, with performers recounting injuries and the deaths of friends. Declining audiences and interest caused by smartphone competition have reduced the act's popularity, creating uncertainty about its future. Immersive footage emphasizes the visceral experience of the performances, amplified by the guttural, thunderous roar of the engines.

Read at Aeon