The Territory (2022) Movie Script
(ENGINE REVVING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CALLING)
(WATER FLOWING)
(CRACKLING)
(RUMBLING)
(CRACKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHILDREN CHATTING INDISTINCTLY)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(IN KAWAHIB) Go for it.
-(MAN EXCLAIMING)
-Just go! (CHUCKLES)
We'll go after you.
-(MAN LAUGHING)
-(LAUGHS)
-MALE VOICE: Twenty-seven...
-(SHRIEKS)
...28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Thirty-four seconds. (CLEARS THROAT)
-(MAN EXHALING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
All right, I'll go.
Twenty-eight, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.
-(BITAT EXHALES, BREATHES HEAVILY)
-MALE VOICE: My God!
Forty-five seconds.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
MALE VOICE: Forty-five. (CHUCKLING)
That's crazy.
Final score, 34 to 45.
(WOMEN CHATTING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(WOMAN CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
What do you want?
Give me your foot.
Don't do that, man!
So, when's your birthday?
It's really this Sunday?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Nobody tells me anything.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
BITAT, IN PORTUGUESE: These days,
there are about 180 Uru-eu-wau-wau.
We're growing a little. (CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-It's going to break.
-No, it won't.
(CHUCKLES)
Ah.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MAN CHEERING)
BITAT: Non-Indigenous
people always say the same things.
"Indigenous people have too much land,"
blah blah blah.
"You need to clear the trees
and raise cattle,"
but I don't agree.
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(WATER CHURNING)
This forest and its rivers are our home.
They support us.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: Are you crazy?
Why did you let go of the rope!
This guy is nuts!
Walk this way, Neidinha.
-Are you tired?
-NEIDINHA: No, I just stubbed my toe.
Oh, no. (CHUCKLES)
(ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: I've known Neidinha
since I was born.
She's been willing to risk her life
alongside us Indigenous people.
I consider her like a second mother.
Let's get this drone up, Bitat.
-(BLADES WHIRRING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(BIRD CHIRPING)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: It's all deforested.
Everything's gone.
It's so ugly.
Dragons eat the forest
Now nothing will grow
And those who live within it
Where can they go?
If this forest had feet
I'll tell you what
It would've run, my friend
Before the trees were cut
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-JAIR: If I'm elected...
-(CROWD APPLAUDING OVER PHONE)
JAIR: ...NGOs won't get any money.
Every citizen will have a firearm
in the house.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
There won't be one more inch
of Indigenous reserve.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
(JAIR TALKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE)
(IN KAWAHIB) There's much
you don't know, Bitat.
You have to learn how things used to be.
During first contact,
they approached us offering gifts.
Pots and pans, things like that.
If that hadn't happened,
we wouldn't be here,
living in the midst of these White people.
I spent the first half
of my life in the forest.
You could walk forever
and only find trees.
(MYSTICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER:
My father was a shaman.
(OBJECTS CLINKING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER:
One night, he had a nightmare.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER: He warned us
of the outsiders.
-(METALS CLANKING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITATS GRANDFATHER: After contact,
they brought diseases.
More than half our people died.
There's a group of us
the White people never reached.
They're still uncontacted,
living deep in this forest.
Grandpa, do you ever worry
about our people disappearing?
Of course, I'm scared of that.
I tell young people how things used to be,
but not everybody will listen.
I want to listen.
(CHUCKLES)
It's up to the next generation now.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(ROOSTER CROWING)
FEMALE VOICE, IN PORTUGUESE:
We begin today with the elections.
Presidential candidate
Jair Bolsonaro remains in the lead.
MALE VOICE:
We are seeing invasions
on protected lands,
and the assassination
of Indigenous people.
Indigenous leaders claim
that this wave of attacks
is being incited
by Bolsonaro's hateful rhetoric.
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
SRGIO: For those who live here,
the Brazilian dream
is to own some land,
and make your living from it.
I'm 49 years old,
and I've spent my whole life
working other people's land.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SRGIO: I've always said
someday I'll get my own.
WORKER: Dig that one first.
SRGIO: I can't stop drinking water.
This heat could kill you.
We just sat down
and already have to get up.
(EXHALES) It's different in the forest.
It's cooler there.
WORKER: The forest isn't like this.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
SRGIO: When you feel
the suffering around you,
you begin to realize what needs to change.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau.
They don't farm or create anything.
They just live there.
So, I think it's poorly divided.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
KIM: Mom, did you set the table?
NEIDINHA: The table is almost ready.
KIM: I always get scared
when my mom goes to the villages.
All I can ask is for her to be careful.
I know it's her life's work,
but I'm constantly worried.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
NEIDINHA: Hmm.
KIM: Sometimes
I don't even think she realizes.
NEIDINHA: Hmm.
KIM: She's always driving
through logger towns,
where she isn't welcome.
When she's running late
and we don't hear from her,
I'm left thinking the worst.
I don't live with fear.
The only thing I'm scared of
is something happening to my kids.
But I'm not scared of loggers,
or land grabbers.
-I'm not scared of jaguars.
-KIM: But you should be.
You should be more careful.
I'm serious.
REPORTER: We've just received news
that Jair Bolsonaro
has been elected President of Brazil.
Congratulations
to the President Elect of Brazil.
Democratically elected
by millions of Brazilians,
with a significant lead.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(MUFFLED CHEERING)
-(FIREWORKS CRACKLING)
-Bolsonaro!
-Bolsonaro!
(GRUNTS)
(ENGINE REVVING)
MARTINS: They call this the border
of the protected forest.
MARTINS: It makes me sick knowing
we're considered criminals,
like we're the ones hurting the country.
Every road in Brazil
was created like this.
First with a chainsaw, then a tractor.
Eventually the government will support us,
but only after we've done
the initial work.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
This is how Brazil was created,
and many other countries too.
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
NEIDINHA: Look at this deforestation.
They want me to call them now.
(LAPTOP DINGS)
-NEIDINHA: It's Ari.
-ARI: There's been an invasion.
We're leaving the village now
to see what's happening.
Ari,
for God's sake, don't do anything
that will put your life in danger.
Don't go there alone,
because you don't know
how many people are there.
You have to be careful with your life.
My love, I have to leave
for the Uru-eu-wau-wau.
-KIM: Okay.
-Okay, darling. I love you.
KIM: I love you. Be careful, Mom.
NEIDINHA: Your mother is always careful.
The Bolsonaro government
is giving the impression
that anyone can invade Indigenous land
and kick the Indians out,
because now you're protected
by the government.
Can you hear me?
AGENT: Yes,
there's an invasion at Uru-eu-wau-wau.
NEIDINHA: Yes,
an invasion of land thieves.
Can you at least send people to inspect?
AGENT: Inspect what?
Go and fight the loggers?
Fight the invaders?
There's nothing I can do.
We have no resources.
No one knows anything.
The Indigenous Affairs agency
is like shit in the water.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IN PORTUGUESE) Call everyone over here.
-Mmm. (EXCLAIMS)
-(ARI CHUCKLES)
ARI: Alive, you see?
NEIDINHA: That's the most important thing.
Let's go, Ari.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
ARI: There are traces of people
and motorcycles.
NEIDINHA: Someone must have warned them
we were coming.
They won't attack now.
-NEIDINHA: Uh-huh.
-They're waiting
for the right moment to come back.
They have left for now,
but this isn't over.
We have to be ready when they come back.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
REPORTER 1:
The Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau territory
was targeted by a new invasion.
REPORTER 2: The risk of a conflict
between invaders and the Indigenous,
worries this environmentalist.
The risk of all this,
is that people could die.
There could be death on either side.
Indigenous people could die,
and so could the invaders.
Unfortunately, the government
is not protecting the territory,
which is their responsibility.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: Around here,
it's like an old Western movie.
There's a group of pioneers
that lead the way,
then others come to settle the land.
When I first arrived here,
people were just saying,
"Oh, this land is mine."
I said, "Let's start an association
so we can get some documents."
That's how Rio Bonito began.
Our association
has to fight for the land...
which they're saying is Uru-eu-wau-wau.
The Promised Land,
that's what people are calling it.
(ENGINE REVVING)
My dream is about to come true.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SRGIO: This square is my land.
If we spread them out,
we can fit more than
a thousand families here.
We'll plant some crops...
to move our Brazil forwards.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: Because this government
keeps emboldening the invaders,
the elders decided that it's time
for me to become our leader.
(HORN BLOWING)
BITAT: I tried to wait,
but the elders had the final decision,
so I had to accept.
-(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: I want to work with Ari
to improve our surveillance team.
I really look up to him.
Taking on a big responsibility like this,
I'm scared of disappointing people.
I'm 18 years old, almost 19.
(CHEERS)
BITAT: The only thing saving our planet
is our rainforest.
I read that if it is all cut down,
we could see five degrees
of temperature rise.
That would ruin the planet.
I believe the Amazon is the heart
not just of Brazil, but the whole world.
(MAN BLOWING HORN)
(CHANTING)
(CHANTING CONTINUES)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(FROG CHIRPING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(BLOWS)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(BLOWS)
-(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
-(FIRE CRACKLING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: How many animals die
in these fires?
We don't have a number.
How many trees do we lose
that could hold a cure to a disease?
Nobody knows.
They burn without thinking.
Protecting the Uru-eu-wau-wau
is beyond a shadow of a doubt
how we will save the Amazon.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau territory
is like a barrier against deforestation.
If the Uru-eu-wau-wau is cut down,
we will lose the rest of the rainforest.
MALE VOICE 1:
This is the Association's home base.
In a few years,
we'll have a huge city here.
God has blessed us.
REPORTER: The invaders
are using this wood
to create the base for their Association,
the Association
of Rural Producers of Rio Bonito,
within Indigenous territory.
ASSOCIATION MEMBER: The Association
of Rural Producers
of Rio Bonito, founded in 2018.
Many people go there
to deforest and plant crops.
REPORTER: Are you also lighting fires?
Sure, you have to burn
to clear the forest.
And how do you avoid authorities?
Ah, no one can control us.
Only God can control this.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Lord, we ask you to guide these men.
We ask for wisdom
for our Association leaders,
so they can bring improvements
for the people, oh Lord.
-In Jesus's name. Amen.
-Amen.
ANNOUNCER: Srgio, the President
of the Association, will speak now.
Hello, everybody.
Ninety percent of you already know me.
I'm always trying
to organize local farmers.
I've been part of the leadership
of this Association.
In Rondnia,
wealthy landowners dominate everything.
I'm taking on this fight,
but I know it's a risk.
Our Association is registered
and follows the law.
We just have to survey
and document our land.
Thank you all for your attention.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUD)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: It's great to be president
of the Association.
The good comes with the bad.
-(LAUGHS)
-Things are getting serious now.
I know there's some people
already out there,
but the judge will only give us access
if we survey the area first.
MAN: Mm-hmm.
I'm just waiting
until the lawyer speaks with the judge
and we can liberate the land.
(SIGHS)
We're doing everything by the books,
so in the end it's all going to work out.
MARTINS: Even though we burned here,
it's still good.
(FLIES BUZZING)
This is a pink cedar tree.
I'm leaving it here because I'm going
to build the roof of my house with it.
We make the planks from it.
I don't think you've heard about it.
If you come back in October,
it'll probably be ready.
As long as the government
doesn't let us live here
with our families, we won't give up.
If they arrest you,
you have to pause because you're in jail,
but as soon as they release us,
we're back.
Because I consider this land mine,
you know?
And if it is mine, I have to work on it,
build on it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
The Association
is trying to get organized,
but I can't wait for them.
They won't enter until it's legalized.
MARTINS: Many people believe
in the Association.
I only trust what I can do myself.
Working, planting...
trying to survive from here.
But the Association...
I don't believe in it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You should ask
the traditional elder to speak first.
I think I will begin,
then ask him to speak next.
No. Respect your elders,
and the house we are in.
You should start the meeting
by asking the elders
from each village to speak first.
BITAT: Good morning everyone.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Let's begin with our elder speaking.
ELDER, IN KAWAHIB:
I want to protect our land.
Everyone is screaming,
"Let's go there and invade!"
They just want money.
That's all it is.
They tell us not to hurt anybody,
then they trample us
and take our lands by force.
How can we live like this?
We won't survive.
BITAT: That's why we're here to talk
and maybe write a letter
to the authorities.
We can't afford
to just keep talking and talking.
Things are getting worse, we need to act.
I'm going to get my arrows
and send them home.
I can't accept this.
Our ancestors were born from this land.
Now the White people want more,
and they're winning.
At this rate, we'll all be
living in the city.
They are right in front of us.
I hear a lot of us talking
about killing White people.
It's not worth killing them.
It won't help.
In the past, we used to have wars.
Things have changed.
Bolsonaro only puts his friends in power.
We don't have a single politician
supporting us,
but the invaders have support.
If we kill an outsider,
they will not kill one of us.
They will kill all of us.
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROAKS)
(IN PORTUGUESE) For a long time,
I thought the way to fight invasions...
was for the police to go
and arrest the invaders.
I'm realizing it doesn't work anymore.
The police don't help us. (SNIFFLES)
We have to think of new strategies.
This here is the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory.
JOURNALIST: When did these problems
in Indigenous areas start?
These are very old problems
that have just gotten worse.
The process goes like this,
-they send small farmers in first.
-JOURNALIST: Mm-hmm.
They say they're taking land
because they're poor...
but there are wealthy landowners
financing these settlers,
and eventually the big landowners
take over.
JOURNALIST: Thanks so much,
we'll stay in touch.
(LAPTOP DINGS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mmm.
Nice.
There's only frosting left!
COLLEAGUE: We tried saving you a piece
but you know how it is.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
FEMALE VOICE: Mom, they have guns.
Tell them to let me go, please, Mom.
Look, I don't know who you are,
but I was just with my daughter.
FEMALE VOICE:
It's me, Mom, help!
Go to hell.
Gabriel, call her now.
Are you calling her?
I need to find her right now.
AUTOMATED VOICE: Your provider informs,
the cellphone you called is turned off
or is outside the coverage area.
NEIDINHA: Damn it, she's not answering.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: She's not responding,
I'm going to find her.
(SNIFFLES) Be careful.
Don't leave the doors open.
-(DIAL TONE RINGING)
-(ENGINE REVVING)
NEIDINHA: This can't be possible.
Kim?
KIM: What's going on?
They said they had you.
(SNIFFLES) They said they'd kidnapped you.
(DOG BARKING)
(SMOOCHES, SNIFFLES)
I love you. (INHALES, SNIFFLES)
If you're facing death threats,
when one of us calls,
you need to pick up immediately.
I didn't know, it never rang.
(SNIFFLES)
Time for some lunch? (CHUCKLES)
-(CRIES)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: Every Sunday, people stop by.
People want to know how things are going.
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Everyone is desperate
to get into the land.
I know we're missing
the planting season,
but we can't have people
going there right now.
If they get caught, the authorities
will blame the Association.
It's playing with fire.
Their land is so huge anyways.
There's so few Indians,
why would they come our direction?
Their land is so big
they can't even walk it.
I've never seen Indians there.
-Have you, Pedro?
-PEDRO: No.
People say they're there,
but I've never seen them.
It's just talk.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-What type of wood is that?
-That's cedar.
ZAO: Pink cedar?
We are building an example for people now,
but also for people
20 or 30 years from now.
Whoever is Catholic
can have a Catholic church.
The Evangelicals can have theirs too.
With or without a road,
by August I'm moving my family here.
But a road is the next step
to improve things.
ZAO: It's all coming.
As the Bible says,
people are meant
to take the land and multiply.
We just want what we deserve,
nothing more.
Just like everybody else.
I believe we're on the edge of victory.
There could be some arrests or something,
but we're almost there.
People are coming to claim their land.
And if you don't claim it,
someone else will.
If you don't mark your spot,
someone else will.
I think lots of people are considering
moving out here,
those who really need it.
Like me, I need it so I'm here.
I can't be living hidden
in the forest like an Indian.
I've got to open up my land.
I've always believed
one day this would be mine,
and today I believe it's mine.
Today I have faith this land is mine.
We just heard invaders are coming in
and out of the territory now.
NEIDINHA: Have you heard
the latest message
from Indigenous Affairs?
AGENT: This business
of making up invasions
is very complicated.
I think this is all being made up.
NEIDINHA: We have to go film them.
We need a police escort,
we can't go alone.
The government won't respond
unless there's proof.
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(EXHALES)
-(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(WIND WHOOSHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MALE VOICE 1: So, the motorcycle was here,
but where was the body?
RAMIREZ: Okay,
I can see it on the grass.
There's blood here.
MALE VOICE 2: It's clear
it was no accident.
REPORTER: We begin with news
about an Uru-eu-wau-wau man
who was found dead
on the side of the road.
Ari Uru-eu-wau-wau,
who was 33 years old
was found dead this morning.
The case has been classified
as a homicide.
We don't take other people's land.
We respect everyone's lives and rights.
NEIDINHA: The Indigenous guys told me
it looks like he was beaten
on the head and chin.
(SNIFFLES)
I'm sorry. (CRIES)
JANDIRA: I completely understand.
You were very close to him.
(CRIES) I've known him since he was born.
(SNIFFLES)
Thank you for all your help.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(WOMEN WAILING)
-(WOMAN WAILING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
NEIDINHA: Ari was a guardian
of the forest.
He was a forest protector...
and he died for it.
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
NEIDINHA: In the name of agrobusiness
and the economy,
they kill the forest
and those who defend it.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
SINGER: Dragons eat the forest
Now nothing will grow
And those who live within it
Where can they go?
Forest-dwellers, rubber-tappers
Sloths, anteaters, and turtles too
Running for their lives
But what can they do?
-(SONG CONTINUES)
-(CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-BITAT: Good morning.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Where is everybody?
BITAT: Ari's murder has been a huge loss.
I believe we're honoring him
by continuing his work,
protecting his land and his village.
(DRONE BLADES WHIRRING)
The other day, we used this
to find some invaders.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: As leader of the Uru-eu-wau-wau,
my role is to bring connectivity
to the villages.
Are you paying attention?
You never listen!
You must be getting old.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: The Association
of Rio Bonito says they want our land,
but I think they want more than that.
They want us to disappear,
including the uncontacted.
We're not going to let that happen.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONCLUDES)
I am insisting
to the Indigenous Affairs agency
that if these invaders keep entering,
they will infect the Indigenous people.
For the past 15 days,
I've been trying to get medicine for them,
-but I wasn't able to.
-MALE VOICE: What happened?
They all died of COVID.
In twenty days, ten Cinta-Larga
Indigenous people
died of COVID.
You know what that means?
That's five percent
of the Cinta-Larga people.
Today, the Uru-eu-wau-wau
are surrounded by invaders.
They're threatening the villages,
burning, cutting down trees,
bringing coronavirus near the villages.
It's a whole series of pressures,
and the whole community
is really vulnerable right now.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau have
a small population.
If they get COVID,
it would be like a genocide for them.
BITAT: I spoke to the elders
and we decided to close off our territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Today we're heading
deep into our land.
Because of COVID,
we're creating our own media team.
(CAMERA REEL ROLLING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
CAMERAMAN: Okay, say something!
I don't know what to say!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: What do you expect
from the mission?
I think it's going to go well.
We have to show that...
Oh, I have to look that way.
But why? (CHUCKLES)
BITAT: What are you expecting
for tomorrow?
I want to learn more about our land,
and hear the stories of our elders.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: A week ago, a journalist called me
asking if he could send a video team
to the village.
I told him no need,
we have all the equipment here.
We can film it for you.
We'll record it ourselves,
you can pay us directly.
Just send us your shot list,
we've got it from there. (CHUCKLES)
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Let's go.
-(DOG WHIMPERS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(LEAVES RUSTLING)
-(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-BITAT: Behind the scenes.
This is the making of.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(COUGHS, LAUGHS)
VILLAGER: It looks like
they brought a horse through here.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Like I've said before,
the government isn't doing its job.
That's our reality, they're not.
We're doing their work for them.
We have the best weapons available today,
and we're reclaiming
the struggle of our elders.
We're experiencing
the same things they did...
but they didn't have any of this.
It was only their word,
and no one believed them.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
FEMALE VOICE: These are their markings.
They specify which direction
they will begin cutting.
They've cut a lot of trails through here.
BITAT: It's smokey.
Maybe they burned some brush.
(WHISPERS, SHUSHES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(INDISTINCT CLAMORING)
BITAT: Bust it. Go ahead. Let me in.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: As we can see, we're in this area.
These are the coordinates.
We're clearly inside Indigenous territory.
MALE VOICE: (WHISPERING)
I think there's somebody up ahead.
(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-MALE VOICE: Go, go!
(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE SPUTTERING)
-BITAT: You're under arrest.
-Uh-huh.
BITAT: We're not going to hurt you
or do anything to you.
-We have these bows and arrows...
-Okay.
-...as part of our monitoring work.
-Uh-huh.
Can I check your backpack?
Everyone knows this is Indigenous land.
Who sent you?
This is my first time,
no one told me this was Indigenous land.
I have some bullets in the bag.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Once this goes in,
it doesn't come out.
I'm just warning you.
If you try any funny stuff we will use it.
We don't want to do that.
Not for you, and not for us.
-(SPEAKS PORTUGUESE)
-BITAT: Did you understand that, sir?
We're giving you this mask
to protect ourselves from COVID.
We don't know what diseases you have.
Who's got the sanitizer?
Show me your hands, please.
Let's go. Everyone stay alert.
Due to a lack of trust in the authorities,
Indians in Rondnia have formed patrols
to protect their land against invaders.
Where narrow trails make it hard to reach,
it is possible to see from above.
Drones have become an important tool
for surveillance
in the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory.
The Indigenous have arrested around
30 invaders within their territory.
They also burned down an invaders' camp.
MALE VOICE: Do you see us breaking
into your house?
So, why are you invading our area?
REPORTER: Bitat is only twenty years old,
but under his leadership
the community has set up a patrol team
to catch the invaders.
We're going now
to Bitat Uru-eu-wau-wau.
He is the president and leader
of the Uru-eu-wau-wau.
(ACTION MUSIC PLAYING)
REPORTER:
Indians from the Uru-eu-wau-wau
are destroying a raft they found
in their territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CHANTS)
I can't believe you're still filming!
(ACTION MUSIC FADES)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
SRGIO: Don't slip,
you'll spill the pesticides.
The news coverage about Rio Bonito
affected us a lot.
The politicians were helping us
because we were strong.
They scratch my back, I scratch theirs.
But due to the media,
politicians are afraid to help us.
-It could dirty their name.
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
One or two people are out there
clearing land,
so you prosecute everybody?
In my mind, the law is totally wrong.
So we're going to close the Association.
It'll be everybody for themselves.
I think man decided to go to the moon
to find another planet.
One that's similar to Earth.
Because they can see the land
is being destroyed.
I'm saying "they,"
but really we're all human.
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
Rio Bonito's over here.
It's just beyond that horizon.
-(CAR ENGINE REVVING)
-(CAR HONKING)
NEIDINHA: Because I've been getting
more death threats,
I've had to put up huge walls
around my house.
They want to scare people
so we don't speak up.
But we cannot give up.
If we give up, then they win.
Ari was killed for defending his land,
for defending the Amazon rainforest.
KIM: What do you think, Mom?
NEIDINHA: I'm just trying
to keep it together.
Hold me tight.
(SOMBER MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
NEIDINHA: There's lots I still want to do,
and I know I don't have much time left.
But in the time I have,
I will mess with a lot of people.
Poor them. If I live another 20 years,
it'll be 20 years spent bothering anyone
who destroys the Amazon.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
They burned everything.
They burned it all.
This is where my little house was.
Now, it's just a pigsty. (CHUCKLES)
I'll be back.
I'll build another house in the same spot.
They burn one, I build another.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Do you want to learn
to put the camera together?
(GRUNTS) Here, come help me.
-Here?
-BITAT: Yeah.
-Did it slide in?
-CHILD: Mm-hmm.
BITAT: What's next?
Attach this thing here. See?
Turn it.
No, look here,
you need to line up the pins.
Press here to start recording.
Is the red light on?
-CHILD: Yeah.
-BITAT: Good, you're recording then.
That's it, nice wide shot.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: It's important to record,
because then you have a weapon.
We have our own way of seeing things.
Indigenous people
have a very deep knowledge.
I think that's what's missing
from photography sometimes.
Right now,
there are more invaders
than Indigenous people within our land.
We aren't able to do this work alone.
That's why we need the world
to see what's happening here.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-(ENGINE REVVING)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CALLING)
(WATER FLOWING)
(CRACKLING)
(RUMBLING)
(CRACKING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CHILDREN CHATTING INDISTINCTLY)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(IN KAWAHIB) Go for it.
-(MAN EXCLAIMING)
-Just go! (CHUCKLES)
We'll go after you.
-(MAN LAUGHING)
-(LAUGHS)
-MALE VOICE: Twenty-seven...
-(SHRIEKS)
...28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34...
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Thirty-four seconds. (CLEARS THROAT)
-(MAN EXHALING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
All right, I'll go.
Twenty-eight, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.
-(BITAT EXHALES, BREATHES HEAVILY)
-MALE VOICE: My God!
Forty-five seconds.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
MALE VOICE: Forty-five. (CHUCKLING)
That's crazy.
Final score, 34 to 45.
(WOMEN CHATTING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(WOMAN CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
What do you want?
Give me your foot.
Don't do that, man!
So, when's your birthday?
It's really this Sunday?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Nobody tells me anything.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
BITAT, IN PORTUGUESE: These days,
there are about 180 Uru-eu-wau-wau.
We're growing a little. (CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-It's going to break.
-No, it won't.
(CHUCKLES)
Ah.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MAN CHEERING)
BITAT: Non-Indigenous
people always say the same things.
"Indigenous people have too much land,"
blah blah blah.
"You need to clear the trees
and raise cattle,"
but I don't agree.
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(WATER CHURNING)
This forest and its rivers are our home.
They support us.
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: Are you crazy?
Why did you let go of the rope!
This guy is nuts!
Walk this way, Neidinha.
-Are you tired?
-NEIDINHA: No, I just stubbed my toe.
Oh, no. (CHUCKLES)
(ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: I've known Neidinha
since I was born.
She's been willing to risk her life
alongside us Indigenous people.
I consider her like a second mother.
Let's get this drone up, Bitat.
-(BLADES WHIRRING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(BIRD CHIRPING)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: It's all deforested.
Everything's gone.
It's so ugly.
Dragons eat the forest
Now nothing will grow
And those who live within it
Where can they go?
If this forest had feet
I'll tell you what
It would've run, my friend
Before the trees were cut
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-JAIR: If I'm elected...
-(CROWD APPLAUDING OVER PHONE)
JAIR: ...NGOs won't get any money.
Every citizen will have a firearm
in the house.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
There won't be one more inch
of Indigenous reserve.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
(JAIR TALKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE)
(IN KAWAHIB) There's much
you don't know, Bitat.
You have to learn how things used to be.
During first contact,
they approached us offering gifts.
Pots and pans, things like that.
If that hadn't happened,
we wouldn't be here,
living in the midst of these White people.
I spent the first half
of my life in the forest.
You could walk forever
and only find trees.
(MYSTICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER:
My father was a shaman.
(OBJECTS CLINKING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER:
One night, he had a nightmare.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
BITATS GRANDFATHER: He warned us
of the outsiders.
-(METALS CLANKING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITATS GRANDFATHER: After contact,
they brought diseases.
More than half our people died.
There's a group of us
the White people never reached.
They're still uncontacted,
living deep in this forest.
Grandpa, do you ever worry
about our people disappearing?
Of course, I'm scared of that.
I tell young people how things used to be,
but not everybody will listen.
I want to listen.
(CHUCKLES)
It's up to the next generation now.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(ROOSTER CROWING)
FEMALE VOICE, IN PORTUGUESE:
We begin today with the elections.
Presidential candidate
Jair Bolsonaro remains in the lead.
MALE VOICE:
We are seeing invasions
on protected lands,
and the assassination
of Indigenous people.
Indigenous leaders claim
that this wave of attacks
is being incited
by Bolsonaro's hateful rhetoric.
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
SRGIO: For those who live here,
the Brazilian dream
is to own some land,
and make your living from it.
I'm 49 years old,
and I've spent my whole life
working other people's land.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SRGIO: I've always said
someday I'll get my own.
WORKER: Dig that one first.
SRGIO: I can't stop drinking water.
This heat could kill you.
We just sat down
and already have to get up.
(EXHALES) It's different in the forest.
It's cooler there.
WORKER: The forest isn't like this.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
SRGIO: When you feel
the suffering around you,
you begin to realize what needs to change.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau.
They don't farm or create anything.
They just live there.
So, I think it's poorly divided.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
KIM: Mom, did you set the table?
NEIDINHA: The table is almost ready.
KIM: I always get scared
when my mom goes to the villages.
All I can ask is for her to be careful.
I know it's her life's work,
but I'm constantly worried.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
NEIDINHA: Hmm.
KIM: Sometimes
I don't even think she realizes.
NEIDINHA: Hmm.
KIM: She's always driving
through logger towns,
where she isn't welcome.
When she's running late
and we don't hear from her,
I'm left thinking the worst.
I don't live with fear.
The only thing I'm scared of
is something happening to my kids.
But I'm not scared of loggers,
or land grabbers.
-I'm not scared of jaguars.
-KIM: But you should be.
You should be more careful.
I'm serious.
REPORTER: We've just received news
that Jair Bolsonaro
has been elected President of Brazil.
Congratulations
to the President Elect of Brazil.
Democratically elected
by millions of Brazilians,
with a significant lead.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(MUFFLED CHEERING)
-(FIREWORKS CRACKLING)
-Bolsonaro!
-Bolsonaro!
(GRUNTS)
(ENGINE REVVING)
MARTINS: They call this the border
of the protected forest.
MARTINS: It makes me sick knowing
we're considered criminals,
like we're the ones hurting the country.
Every road in Brazil
was created like this.
First with a chainsaw, then a tractor.
Eventually the government will support us,
but only after we've done
the initial work.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
This is how Brazil was created,
and many other countries too.
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
NEIDINHA: Look at this deforestation.
They want me to call them now.
(LAPTOP DINGS)
-NEIDINHA: It's Ari.
-ARI: There's been an invasion.
We're leaving the village now
to see what's happening.
Ari,
for God's sake, don't do anything
that will put your life in danger.
Don't go there alone,
because you don't know
how many people are there.
You have to be careful with your life.
My love, I have to leave
for the Uru-eu-wau-wau.
-KIM: Okay.
-Okay, darling. I love you.
KIM: I love you. Be careful, Mom.
NEIDINHA: Your mother is always careful.
The Bolsonaro government
is giving the impression
that anyone can invade Indigenous land
and kick the Indians out,
because now you're protected
by the government.
Can you hear me?
AGENT: Yes,
there's an invasion at Uru-eu-wau-wau.
NEIDINHA: Yes,
an invasion of land thieves.
Can you at least send people to inspect?
AGENT: Inspect what?
Go and fight the loggers?
Fight the invaders?
There's nothing I can do.
We have no resources.
No one knows anything.
The Indigenous Affairs agency
is like shit in the water.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IN PORTUGUESE) Call everyone over here.
-Mmm. (EXCLAIMS)
-(ARI CHUCKLES)
ARI: Alive, you see?
NEIDINHA: That's the most important thing.
Let's go, Ari.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
ARI: There are traces of people
and motorcycles.
NEIDINHA: Someone must have warned them
we were coming.
They won't attack now.
-NEIDINHA: Uh-huh.
-They're waiting
for the right moment to come back.
They have left for now,
but this isn't over.
We have to be ready when they come back.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
REPORTER 1:
The Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau territory
was targeted by a new invasion.
REPORTER 2: The risk of a conflict
between invaders and the Indigenous,
worries this environmentalist.
The risk of all this,
is that people could die.
There could be death on either side.
Indigenous people could die,
and so could the invaders.
Unfortunately, the government
is not protecting the territory,
which is their responsibility.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: Around here,
it's like an old Western movie.
There's a group of pioneers
that lead the way,
then others come to settle the land.
When I first arrived here,
people were just saying,
"Oh, this land is mine."
I said, "Let's start an association
so we can get some documents."
That's how Rio Bonito began.
Our association
has to fight for the land...
which they're saying is Uru-eu-wau-wau.
The Promised Land,
that's what people are calling it.
(ENGINE REVVING)
My dream is about to come true.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SRGIO: This square is my land.
If we spread them out,
we can fit more than
a thousand families here.
We'll plant some crops...
to move our Brazil forwards.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: Because this government
keeps emboldening the invaders,
the elders decided that it's time
for me to become our leader.
(HORN BLOWING)
BITAT: I tried to wait,
but the elders had the final decision,
so I had to accept.
-(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: I want to work with Ari
to improve our surveillance team.
I really look up to him.
Taking on a big responsibility like this,
I'm scared of disappointing people.
I'm 18 years old, almost 19.
(CHEERS)
BITAT: The only thing saving our planet
is our rainforest.
I read that if it is all cut down,
we could see five degrees
of temperature rise.
That would ruin the planet.
I believe the Amazon is the heart
not just of Brazil, but the whole world.
(MAN BLOWING HORN)
(CHANTING)
(CHANTING CONTINUES)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
-(FROG CHIRPING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(BLOWS)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(BLOWS)
-(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
-(FIRE CRACKLING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: How many animals die
in these fires?
We don't have a number.
How many trees do we lose
that could hold a cure to a disease?
Nobody knows.
They burn without thinking.
Protecting the Uru-eu-wau-wau
is beyond a shadow of a doubt
how we will save the Amazon.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau territory
is like a barrier against deforestation.
If the Uru-eu-wau-wau is cut down,
we will lose the rest of the rainforest.
MALE VOICE 1:
This is the Association's home base.
In a few years,
we'll have a huge city here.
God has blessed us.
REPORTER: The invaders
are using this wood
to create the base for their Association,
the Association
of Rural Producers of Rio Bonito,
within Indigenous territory.
ASSOCIATION MEMBER: The Association
of Rural Producers
of Rio Bonito, founded in 2018.
Many people go there
to deforest and plant crops.
REPORTER: Are you also lighting fires?
Sure, you have to burn
to clear the forest.
And how do you avoid authorities?
Ah, no one can control us.
Only God can control this.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Lord, we ask you to guide these men.
We ask for wisdom
for our Association leaders,
so they can bring improvements
for the people, oh Lord.
-In Jesus's name. Amen.
-Amen.
ANNOUNCER: Srgio, the President
of the Association, will speak now.
Hello, everybody.
Ninety percent of you already know me.
I'm always trying
to organize local farmers.
I've been part of the leadership
of this Association.
In Rondnia,
wealthy landowners dominate everything.
I'm taking on this fight,
but I know it's a risk.
Our Association is registered
and follows the law.
We just have to survey
and document our land.
Thank you all for your attention.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUD)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: It's great to be president
of the Association.
The good comes with the bad.
-(LAUGHS)
-Things are getting serious now.
I know there's some people
already out there,
but the judge will only give us access
if we survey the area first.
MAN: Mm-hmm.
I'm just waiting
until the lawyer speaks with the judge
and we can liberate the land.
(SIGHS)
We're doing everything by the books,
so in the end it's all going to work out.
MARTINS: Even though we burned here,
it's still good.
(FLIES BUZZING)
This is a pink cedar tree.
I'm leaving it here because I'm going
to build the roof of my house with it.
We make the planks from it.
I don't think you've heard about it.
If you come back in October,
it'll probably be ready.
As long as the government
doesn't let us live here
with our families, we won't give up.
If they arrest you,
you have to pause because you're in jail,
but as soon as they release us,
we're back.
Because I consider this land mine,
you know?
And if it is mine, I have to work on it,
build on it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
The Association
is trying to get organized,
but I can't wait for them.
They won't enter until it's legalized.
MARTINS: Many people believe
in the Association.
I only trust what I can do myself.
Working, planting...
trying to survive from here.
But the Association...
I don't believe in it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You should ask
the traditional elder to speak first.
I think I will begin,
then ask him to speak next.
No. Respect your elders,
and the house we are in.
You should start the meeting
by asking the elders
from each village to speak first.
BITAT: Good morning everyone.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Let's begin with our elder speaking.
ELDER, IN KAWAHIB:
I want to protect our land.
Everyone is screaming,
"Let's go there and invade!"
They just want money.
That's all it is.
They tell us not to hurt anybody,
then they trample us
and take our lands by force.
How can we live like this?
We won't survive.
BITAT: That's why we're here to talk
and maybe write a letter
to the authorities.
We can't afford
to just keep talking and talking.
Things are getting worse, we need to act.
I'm going to get my arrows
and send them home.
I can't accept this.
Our ancestors were born from this land.
Now the White people want more,
and they're winning.
At this rate, we'll all be
living in the city.
They are right in front of us.
I hear a lot of us talking
about killing White people.
It's not worth killing them.
It won't help.
In the past, we used to have wars.
Things have changed.
Bolsonaro only puts his friends in power.
We don't have a single politician
supporting us,
but the invaders have support.
If we kill an outsider,
they will not kill one of us.
They will kill all of us.
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROAKS)
(IN PORTUGUESE) For a long time,
I thought the way to fight invasions...
was for the police to go
and arrest the invaders.
I'm realizing it doesn't work anymore.
The police don't help us. (SNIFFLES)
We have to think of new strategies.
This here is the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory.
JOURNALIST: When did these problems
in Indigenous areas start?
These are very old problems
that have just gotten worse.
The process goes like this,
-they send small farmers in first.
-JOURNALIST: Mm-hmm.
They say they're taking land
because they're poor...
but there are wealthy landowners
financing these settlers,
and eventually the big landowners
take over.
JOURNALIST: Thanks so much,
we'll stay in touch.
(LAPTOP DINGS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Mmm.
Nice.
There's only frosting left!
COLLEAGUE: We tried saving you a piece
but you know how it is.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
FEMALE VOICE: Mom, they have guns.
Tell them to let me go, please, Mom.
Look, I don't know who you are,
but I was just with my daughter.
FEMALE VOICE:
It's me, Mom, help!
Go to hell.
Gabriel, call her now.
Are you calling her?
I need to find her right now.
AUTOMATED VOICE: Your provider informs,
the cellphone you called is turned off
or is outside the coverage area.
NEIDINHA: Damn it, she's not answering.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
NEIDINHA: She's not responding,
I'm going to find her.
(SNIFFLES) Be careful.
Don't leave the doors open.
-(DIAL TONE RINGING)
-(ENGINE REVVING)
NEIDINHA: This can't be possible.
Kim?
KIM: What's going on?
They said they had you.
(SNIFFLES) They said they'd kidnapped you.
(DOG BARKING)
(SMOOCHES, SNIFFLES)
I love you. (INHALES, SNIFFLES)
If you're facing death threats,
when one of us calls,
you need to pick up immediately.
I didn't know, it never rang.
(SNIFFLES)
Time for some lunch? (CHUCKLES)
-(CRIES)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
SRGIO: Every Sunday, people stop by.
People want to know how things are going.
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Everyone is desperate
to get into the land.
I know we're missing
the planting season,
but we can't have people
going there right now.
If they get caught, the authorities
will blame the Association.
It's playing with fire.
Their land is so huge anyways.
There's so few Indians,
why would they come our direction?
Their land is so big
they can't even walk it.
I've never seen Indians there.
-Have you, Pedro?
-PEDRO: No.
People say they're there,
but I've never seen them.
It's just talk.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-What type of wood is that?
-That's cedar.
ZAO: Pink cedar?
We are building an example for people now,
but also for people
20 or 30 years from now.
Whoever is Catholic
can have a Catholic church.
The Evangelicals can have theirs too.
With or without a road,
by August I'm moving my family here.
But a road is the next step
to improve things.
ZAO: It's all coming.
As the Bible says,
people are meant
to take the land and multiply.
We just want what we deserve,
nothing more.
Just like everybody else.
I believe we're on the edge of victory.
There could be some arrests or something,
but we're almost there.
People are coming to claim their land.
And if you don't claim it,
someone else will.
If you don't mark your spot,
someone else will.
I think lots of people are considering
moving out here,
those who really need it.
Like me, I need it so I'm here.
I can't be living hidden
in the forest like an Indian.
I've got to open up my land.
I've always believed
one day this would be mine,
and today I believe it's mine.
Today I have faith this land is mine.
We just heard invaders are coming in
and out of the territory now.
NEIDINHA: Have you heard
the latest message
from Indigenous Affairs?
AGENT: This business
of making up invasions
is very complicated.
I think this is all being made up.
NEIDINHA: We have to go film them.
We need a police escort,
we can't go alone.
The government won't respond
unless there's proof.
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
-(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(EXHALES)
-(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(WIND WHOOSHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MALE VOICE 1: So, the motorcycle was here,
but where was the body?
RAMIREZ: Okay,
I can see it on the grass.
There's blood here.
MALE VOICE 2: It's clear
it was no accident.
REPORTER: We begin with news
about an Uru-eu-wau-wau man
who was found dead
on the side of the road.
Ari Uru-eu-wau-wau,
who was 33 years old
was found dead this morning.
The case has been classified
as a homicide.
We don't take other people's land.
We respect everyone's lives and rights.
NEIDINHA: The Indigenous guys told me
it looks like he was beaten
on the head and chin.
(SNIFFLES)
I'm sorry. (CRIES)
JANDIRA: I completely understand.
You were very close to him.
(CRIES) I've known him since he was born.
(SNIFFLES)
Thank you for all your help.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(WOMEN WAILING)
-(WOMAN WAILING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
NEIDINHA: Ari was a guardian
of the forest.
He was a forest protector...
and he died for it.
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
NEIDINHA: In the name of agrobusiness
and the economy,
they kill the forest
and those who defend it.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
SINGER: Dragons eat the forest
Now nothing will grow
And those who live within it
Where can they go?
Forest-dwellers, rubber-tappers
Sloths, anteaters, and turtles too
Running for their lives
But what can they do?
-(SONG CONTINUES)
-(CHUCKLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-BITAT: Good morning.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Where is everybody?
BITAT: Ari's murder has been a huge loss.
I believe we're honoring him
by continuing his work,
protecting his land and his village.
(DRONE BLADES WHIRRING)
The other day, we used this
to find some invaders.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: As leader of the Uru-eu-wau-wau,
my role is to bring connectivity
to the villages.
Are you paying attention?
You never listen!
You must be getting old.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: The Association
of Rio Bonito says they want our land,
but I think they want more than that.
They want us to disappear,
including the uncontacted.
We're not going to let that happen.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONCLUDES)
I am insisting
to the Indigenous Affairs agency
that if these invaders keep entering,
they will infect the Indigenous people.
For the past 15 days,
I've been trying to get medicine for them,
-but I wasn't able to.
-MALE VOICE: What happened?
They all died of COVID.
In twenty days, ten Cinta-Larga
Indigenous people
died of COVID.
You know what that means?
That's five percent
of the Cinta-Larga people.
Today, the Uru-eu-wau-wau
are surrounded by invaders.
They're threatening the villages,
burning, cutting down trees,
bringing coronavirus near the villages.
It's a whole series of pressures,
and the whole community
is really vulnerable right now.
The Uru-eu-wau-wau have
a small population.
If they get COVID,
it would be like a genocide for them.
BITAT: I spoke to the elders
and we decided to close off our territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Today we're heading
deep into our land.
Because of COVID,
we're creating our own media team.
(CAMERA REEL ROLLING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
CAMERAMAN: Okay, say something!
I don't know what to say!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: What do you expect
from the mission?
I think it's going to go well.
We have to show that...
Oh, I have to look that way.
But why? (CHUCKLES)
BITAT: What are you expecting
for tomorrow?
I want to learn more about our land,
and hear the stories of our elders.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: A week ago, a journalist called me
asking if he could send a video team
to the village.
I told him no need,
we have all the equipment here.
We can film it for you.
We'll record it ourselves,
you can pay us directly.
Just send us your shot list,
we've got it from there. (CHUCKLES)
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Let's go.
-(DOG WHIMPERS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(LEAVES RUSTLING)
-(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-BITAT: Behind the scenes.
This is the making of.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(COUGHS, LAUGHS)
VILLAGER: It looks like
they brought a horse through here.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Like I've said before,
the government isn't doing its job.
That's our reality, they're not.
We're doing their work for them.
We have the best weapons available today,
and we're reclaiming
the struggle of our elders.
We're experiencing
the same things they did...
but they didn't have any of this.
It was only their word,
and no one believed them.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
FEMALE VOICE: These are their markings.
They specify which direction
they will begin cutting.
They've cut a lot of trails through here.
BITAT: It's smokey.
Maybe they burned some brush.
(WHISPERS, SHUSHES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(INDISTINCT CLAMORING)
BITAT: Bust it. Go ahead. Let me in.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: As we can see, we're in this area.
These are the coordinates.
We're clearly inside Indigenous territory.
MALE VOICE: (WHISPERING)
I think there's somebody up ahead.
(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-MALE VOICE: Go, go!
(MOTORCYCLE ENGINE SPUTTERING)
-BITAT: You're under arrest.
-Uh-huh.
BITAT: We're not going to hurt you
or do anything to you.
-We have these bows and arrows...
-Okay.
-...as part of our monitoring work.
-Uh-huh.
Can I check your backpack?
Everyone knows this is Indigenous land.
Who sent you?
This is my first time,
no one told me this was Indigenous land.
I have some bullets in the bag.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Once this goes in,
it doesn't come out.
I'm just warning you.
If you try any funny stuff we will use it.
We don't want to do that.
Not for you, and not for us.
-(SPEAKS PORTUGUESE)
-BITAT: Did you understand that, sir?
We're giving you this mask
to protect ourselves from COVID.
We don't know what diseases you have.
Who's got the sanitizer?
Show me your hands, please.
Let's go. Everyone stay alert.
Due to a lack of trust in the authorities,
Indians in Rondnia have formed patrols
to protect their land against invaders.
Where narrow trails make it hard to reach,
it is possible to see from above.
Drones have become an important tool
for surveillance
in the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory.
The Indigenous have arrested around
30 invaders within their territory.
They also burned down an invaders' camp.
MALE VOICE: Do you see us breaking
into your house?
So, why are you invading our area?
REPORTER: Bitat is only twenty years old,
but under his leadership
the community has set up a patrol team
to catch the invaders.
We're going now
to Bitat Uru-eu-wau-wau.
He is the president and leader
of the Uru-eu-wau-wau.
(ACTION MUSIC PLAYING)
REPORTER:
Indians from the Uru-eu-wau-wau
are destroying a raft they found
in their territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CHANTS)
I can't believe you're still filming!
(ACTION MUSIC FADES)
(INSECTS CHIRPING)
SRGIO: Don't slip,
you'll spill the pesticides.
The news coverage about Rio Bonito
affected us a lot.
The politicians were helping us
because we were strong.
They scratch my back, I scratch theirs.
But due to the media,
politicians are afraid to help us.
-It could dirty their name.
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
One or two people are out there
clearing land,
so you prosecute everybody?
In my mind, the law is totally wrong.
So we're going to close the Association.
It'll be everybody for themselves.
I think man decided to go to the moon
to find another planet.
One that's similar to Earth.
Because they can see the land
is being destroyed.
I'm saying "they,"
but really we're all human.
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
Rio Bonito's over here.
It's just beyond that horizon.
-(CAR ENGINE REVVING)
-(CAR HONKING)
NEIDINHA: Because I've been getting
more death threats,
I've had to put up huge walls
around my house.
They want to scare people
so we don't speak up.
But we cannot give up.
If we give up, then they win.
Ari was killed for defending his land,
for defending the Amazon rainforest.
KIM: What do you think, Mom?
NEIDINHA: I'm just trying
to keep it together.
Hold me tight.
(SOMBER MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
NEIDINHA: There's lots I still want to do,
and I know I don't have much time left.
But in the time I have,
I will mess with a lot of people.
Poor them. If I live another 20 years,
it'll be 20 years spent bothering anyone
who destroys the Amazon.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
They burned everything.
They burned it all.
This is where my little house was.
Now, it's just a pigsty. (CHUCKLES)
I'll be back.
I'll build another house in the same spot.
They burn one, I build another.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
BITAT: Do you want to learn
to put the camera together?
(GRUNTS) Here, come help me.
-Here?
-BITAT: Yeah.
-Did it slide in?
-CHILD: Mm-hmm.
BITAT: What's next?
Attach this thing here. See?
Turn it.
No, look here,
you need to line up the pins.
Press here to start recording.
Is the red light on?
-CHILD: Yeah.
-BITAT: Good, you're recording then.
That's it, nice wide shot.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
BITAT: It's important to record,
because then you have a weapon.
We have our own way of seeing things.
Indigenous people
have a very deep knowledge.
I think that's what's missing
from photography sometimes.
Right now,
there are more invaders
than Indigenous people within our land.
We aren't able to do this work alone.
That's why we need the world
to see what's happening here.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
-(ENGINE REVVING)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(CHAINSAW WHIRRING)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)