The premiere of the mini-documentary “The Chief’s Call: Heritage, Land and Future” brought together indigenous leaders, government representatives, scientists and civil society last Tuesday (April 23) at the CAIXA Cultural theater in Brasília.
Produced by Amazoniar – an initiative of the IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) – in partnership with the Instituto Raoni, the film portrays the gathering of indigenous peoples, which took place in the Piaraçu Village, on the banks of the Xingu River, in July last year. The meeting was called by chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Mebêngôkre (Kayapó) people.
At the panel discussion of the documentary’s opening ceremony, Sônia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples, emphasized the importance of the documentary: “we have experienced several historic moments recently and this is yet another historic moment of demarcation of space.”
André Guimarães, executive director of IPAM, highlighted the role of indigenous peoples in protecting the environment, commending chief Raoni’s work. “Over the past 50 years, he has systematically passed on a very clear and simple message: the forest is life.”
For Beptuk Metuktire, one of chief Raoni’s grandchildren and representatives at the ceremony, the documentary is an inspiration that reflects much of what young indigenous leaders think about their struggle.
Mayalú Txucarramãe, who is one of the chief’s granddaughter and represents the Instituti Raoni, underlined his role in bringing her into the indigenous peoples’ struggle. “When I was a little girl, chief Raoni held my hand and said: ‘Let’s go fight’. If I’m here today, it’s because he held my hand,” she said.
The event ended with a dance and singing performance by the Mebêngôkre (Kayapó) indigenous people.
The documentary is a co-production of Filmes do Fogo, and is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Bari Filmes. It will be featured at the CAIXA Cutural’s theater until Friday (April 26), with free admission.
