Battle for the Xingu

Director:

Iara Lee

Country:

Brazil

Duration:

11Min

Year of production:

2009

Movies language:

Subtitles language (s):

Cinematography:

Altair Paixao, Elrik Lima

Sound:

Cristian Fleming

Editing:

Collin Ruffino

Production:

George Gund III

Country of co-production:

United States

Synopsis:

The Xingu, a tributary of the Amazon, is home to over 10.000 indigenous people who rely on the river for survival. The Brazilian government, however, keen to develop the region, is proposing what would be the world’s third largest hydroelectric dam, threatening to destroy the biodiversity of the Xingu River Basin and deprive these people of their rights to a sustainable future. In January 2009, over 100,000 Brazilians gathered in Belem for the World Social Forum, where the people of the Xingu made their voices heard, and made clear that they will not stand by to watch the death of the river and the extinction of their culture.

Awards :

2010. Seattle International Film Festival. USA (Nominated for the category Film Presented)

Bio Director:

Iara Lee was born and raised in Brazil by Korean parents. Her career in film began as producer and programmer of the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, a tenure that lasted from 1984 to 1989. From there, Iara relocated to New York city to launch a film production company, Caipirinha Productions. She is the founder of the Cultures of Resistance Network, an organization that promotes global solidarity, supports peace with justice projects and brings together artists and changemakers from around the world.