‘Birdwatchers’ up for award
by Miriam
The movie ‘Birdwatchers’, which tells the story of the Guarani-Kaiowá Indians in Brazil, has been shortlisted for a prestigious One World Media Award.
The film depicts a ‘retomada’ where tribe members re-occupy land which has been taken from them. © Marie Hippenmeyer
Birdwatchers highlights the shocking plight of the Guarani, through a love story between a young Guarani shaman apprentice and the daughter of a wealthy landowner.
Exiled from their land and struggling to survive, the Guarani community in Birdwatchers – like many real life Guarani – resolve to take back their land from the rancher who occupies it. And like so many real Guarani ‘retomadas’ (retakings), their attempt is met with violent repression.
A ‘retomada’ sequence. © Marie Hippenmeyer
The film stars Guarani Indians who had never acted before, and who worked together with director Marco Bechis to devise the script. Their moving performances are testimony to the Guarani’s refusal to give up hope.
Guarani pose for tourists in the movie’s opening sequence. © Marie Hippenmeyer
The winners of the One World Media Awards are due to be announced on 22 June.
Birdwatchers is available on DVD. Watch the trailer.
Update: Birdwatchers won the award! “The jury was unanimous in voting as the winner this engrossing and beautifully made film.“