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“In one of the great tragedies of our age, indigenous traditions, stories, cultures and knowledge are winking out across the world. Whole languages and mythologies are vanishing, and in some cases even entire indigenous groups are falling into extinction.” (Source: Jeremy Hance, Mongabay)
Context:
With the rainforest under constant threat of development, indigenous and riverine communities unite at the forefront of the battle for the rainforest preservation. After years of fight, local communities recently obtained the suspension of the dam license, but this destructive project is unfortunately still on the government's priorities pipeline, menacing the livelihood of thousands of people.
Short Summary
Amazonia Dammed is a film documenting the Munduruku community's fight against a mega-dam planned in their land, situated in the heart of the Amazon Forest.
The Munduruku warriors:
Fighting beside them is the neighbouring riverine community of Montanha e Mangabal, which is equally affected by this huge development:
We are privileged to work with indigenous organisation Pariri, which represents seven Munduruku communities along the Tapajós river. Pariri has been active since 1998, fighting for the welfare and the cultural survival of Munduruku communities. Our crew has been kindly invited by Chief Juarez Saw and Pariri's President Rozeni Saw to spend some time with the community of Sawré Muybu, one of the 3 villages whose land will be directly flooded by the mega-dam.![]()
We will also have the opportunity to meet brave members of the traditional riverine communities of Montanha e Mangabal. They have been living by the Tapajós waters for centuries and have recently, after many years of struggle, scored an unprecedented victory, winning the rights to their land in court. Their land will also be directly affected by the mega-dam.
The issue:
The largest tropical forest on Earth is disappearing at an
alarming rate.
You have heard of the Amazon River, the Tapajos (running
through 800km) is one of its largest tributaries in Brazil. It is an artery of
life for this majestic forest and sadly one of its last great free flowing
rivers. The Brazilian government are now planning the construction of the São Luiz do Tapajós hydroelectric complex, which will be one of the largest in the world, flooding about 73000Ha of mostly rainforest, home not only to invaluable fauna and flora (some of of which is still unknown to science), but also to more than 14000 people, indigenous and riverine communities. It will directly flood not only part of the Munduruku territory of Sawré Muybu, but also the traditional riverside communities of Montanha-Mangabal.
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(Map showing the 5 dams forming the São Luíz do Tapajós Complex, planned on the Tapajós e Jamanxim rivers. (Image courtesy of ©Greenpeace))
Hundreds of dams are planned or already under construction in
the whole Amazon. If these plans go forward, this could have catastrophic effects not only for the forest and the 30million people it supports, but also for the entire world. The Amazon is a major climate regulator.
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(
Source: International Rivers | The Washington Post)
Want to know more?
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Shooting in the Amazonian rainforest presents its unique challenges: financing, development, production, shooting conditions due to the location's remoteness. And for that we needed to double in preparation time and acquire extra equipment.
We have been planning this project for months and we not only invested all our savings, but also took loans to get all camera kit and necessary equipment for this trip.
But now we need your help for the next step of our production. Help us recover the transportation and logistical costs so we can continue to make this film.
As our crew is now travelling to distant spots of the Amazon forest; most of your generous contributions will help us recover some of the costs of shooting this film. In addition, to make this film as impactful as possible, we will be sending it to many film festivals in order to raise awareness on this very important issue.
This is how your money is spent:
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We have incredible support for this film. We already have a composer lined up, and we have mentoring guidance from top industry professionals from the BBC Natural History Unit here in Bristol. We will be using the university’s facilities for the postproduction stages.
Ada Bodjolle:
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Filmmaker, photographer and motion designer (Check out her work on: www.hypnotiktv.co.uk). Last year she left her job and friends in London to launch on a new adventure in Bristol: She has been accepted in the prestigious Wildlife Filmmaking Master at University of the West of England in association with the BBC Natural History Unit. As part of her course, she is directing a film in the Amazon Forest. With this film, she is hoping to bring awareness to the plight of the communities of the Tapajós River. She is a rock climber and a dedicated ashtanga yoga practitioner.
Elma Okic:
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Photographer, videographer and multimedia producer with a curious mind and unrelenting passion (Here is her portfolio:
turtle.photoshelter.com). Elma has worked on issues in environmental conservation, global health and events. Her recent assignments include:
Recent coverage major events and conferences at the UN Secretariat in Geneva. Climbed the Matterhorn as a photographer for the 150th anniversary of the first ascent from the Swiss side. Produced a series of videos on Malaria and HIV for United Nations Development Fund. She is passionate about rock and mountain climbing, ski touring, self-development and sustainable existence.
Peter Durin:
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Peter Durin is rope technician with a strong passion for nature photography. He is our techy wizz, camera assistant and location logistics expert. He is an experienced drone operator, it is not his first time flying in tropical forests. He is a passionate rock and ice climber, ski mountaineer and mountain biker.
As partners Peter and Ada working together in many tropical countries. Here is some of their work:
http://www.hypnotiktv.co.uk/portfolio/panthera-tigris-tigris-tigers-in-ranthambore-national-park/
http://www.hypnotiktv.co.uk/portfolio/prakratik-societys-biogas-program-supported-by-foc-uk-2014/
http://www.hypnotiktv.co.uk/portfolio/salas-tatras-mountains-slovakia/
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Members of crew will be travelling to the rainforest. Being in such a remote location poses certain constrains in terms of logistics. We are fortunate to be in touch with the Indigenous organisation Pariri, which is providing knowledge and invaluable on and off location support.
Our team will be prepared for rainy conditions, we therefore budgeted contingency days to make sure we get all the necessary content for the film.
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Your support:
We will not only be raising awareness on a major conservation issue, but we will open a space for members of the communities of the Tapajós River to tell their stories.
These stories should be heard out loud to the world. Together we can make this a reality.
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Just for you.
To show you our appreciation for your contributions, we have special perks for you. From original illustrations to photo art prints; all our designs will be printed on recycled paper. Check out below:
A photography brochure, illustrating the beauty of Brazilian tropical forests and custom eco 48 pages A6 notebooks:
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Artwork, badges and stickers inspired from the film:
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And, for our early birds, we will be sending you a tote bag, made of organic cotton. This bag comes with the guaranty of decent working conditions for the people who made them.
Tote poll: Help us select your favourite bag.
We want to make sure you get the design you love, so vote on the comment section. We will ship the most voted design.
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No extra pennies? No worries.
Be our champion and spread the word to everyone you know.
