The Last Forest

Since Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019, huge numbers of gold prospectors have invaded the territory of the Yanomami in the Brazilian-Venezuelan border region. Not only do the intruders poison the water with mercury, they also bring deadly diseases -- most recently COVID-19 -- into these largely isolated indigenous communities. In this new work, Luiz Bolognesi ("Ex Pajé") alternates traditional documentary footage with staged scenes developed in collaboration with shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, one of the best-known spokespeople for the Yanomami internationally. These scenes describe the Yanomami's creation myths, their relationship to nature and their ongoing struggle to preserve their natural environment.