Documentary Educational Resources - Geography / South America / Brazil / All Films

Goodbye, Captain

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:42:23 GMT

Goodbye, Captain relates the story of Brazil's indigenous Gavião people and their efforts to maintain their language, livelihood, and identity throughout a half-century of upheavals. At the center of this historical narrative is "Captain" Krôhôkrenhum Jopaipairé, leader of the Gavião community in the south of Pará. Krôhôkrenhum shares the history of his people and details his commitment to restoring the community’s cultural traditions.

Krôhôkrenhum’s tells filmmaker Vincent Carelli the history of his community, beginning with the wars of the “brave Indian” and the terrible devastation that began with contact with the kupen or white man, who brought with them new diseases and left few survivors scattered around the region. Further encroachment of the kupen resulted in the loss of Gavião lands and resources, including the nut trees that offered them economic independence, the imposition of slave labor, and a generation raised outside of their culture and language.

As the story continues, strategic alliances with other Gavião groups enable Krôhôkrenhum and his people to rebel against harmful government policies and ultimately gain control of their plantation and obtain financial autonomy. Contact with other Gavião groups also inspires Krôhôkrenhum and the community to revitalize the Gavião language and ceremonies.

Woven throughout this history is the relationship between the captain and Vincent Carelli, who began filming the community using a VHS camera in 1987. The film opens with Carelli’s return of an audio-visual archive to the Gavião community and the promise of fulfilling Krôhôkrenhum’s wish to maintain the memory of his people.

Selected Screenings & Awards

Prix Mondes en Regards, Jean Rouch International Ethnographic Film Festival, France, 2023
Sheffield International Documentary Festival, United Kingdom, 2022

Doclisboa International Film Festival, Portugal, 2022

IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival), Amsterdam, 2022

It’s All True - International Documentary Festival, Brazil, 2022

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Yanomamö Films: Remastered, Vol. 1

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:45:14 GMT

Yanomamö Films: Remastered, Vol. 1
Buy Now: $1,000.00

In 1968 and again in 1971 filmmaker Timothy Asch and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon collaborated on a project to film the Yanomamö Indians. Chagnon had conducted research among the Yanomamö beginning in 1964, and Asch had previously filmed in the field in Africa and Japan. During his first field trip, Chagnon used a 16mm Bolex to film selected aspects of Yanomamö life.

In 1968, Asch joined Chagnon, and from this first collaboration two films were produced: The Feast and Yanomamö: A Multidisciplinary Study. The latter film was made in close cooperation with a team of scientists from the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. A feast was chosen as the subject of the other film for several reasons: it was a predictable event, and as a single event it could be placed in the social and cultural context of the village. Additionally, the feast illustrated some classical anthropological themes - reciprocity and alliance formation - that would complement Chagnon's own published work, particularly his widely-read Yanomamö: The Fierce People.

Between 1968 and 1971 Chagnon returned annually to the field and filmed alone. The footage shot during this period became more meaningful when viewed as part of the larger body of film on the Yanomamö shot collaboratively by Asch and Chagnon in 1971. During 1971 the team (together with Craig Johnson who recorded synchronous sound) shot an additional 80,000 feet of 16mm color film, using Arriflex, Bolex, Nagra, and Uher equipment. The scene of most of this film is the remote village of Mishimishimabowei-teri, a village whose history and inhabitants Chagnon knew well. Several figures in particular are outstanding: Moawa, a village headman and Dedeheiwä, another headman and the leading shaman in Magical Death.

In all, Asch and Chagnon shot approximately 110,000 feet (50 hours) of film on the Yanomamö, much of it in Mishimishimabowei-teri. Thirty-seven films were produced from this footage and initially used in a national introductory curriculum project supported by the National Science Foundation. Today, they have become classics of visual anthropology and continue to be studied in classrooms throughout the world.

This collection includes these remastered films:

Arrow Game

The Ax Fight

Children's Magical Death

Climbing the Peach Palm

A Father Washes His Children

Magical Death

A Man and His Wife Make a Hammock

A Man Called Bee: Studying the Yanomamö

Moonblood: A Yanomamö Creation Myth

Weeding the Garden

Several of these films are also available on the Yanomamö Shorts DVD collection. This two-disc set includes the following remastered titles on Disc One: Arrow Game, Children's Magical Death, Climbing the Peach Palm, A Father Washes His Children, A Man and His Wife Make a Hammock and Weeding the Garden. Also included on Disc One: Firewood, Tapir Distribution and Tug-of-War. Disc Two includes: Dedeheiwä Rests in His Garden, Children Roasting Meat, A Woman Spins, Children Make a Toy Hammock, Sand Play, Playing in the Rain, Mouth Wrestling, and Young Shaman.

Films in the Yanomamö series:

Arrow Game *†

The Ax Fight †

Bride Service

Children's Magical Death *†

Climbing the Peach Palm *†

A Father Washes His Children *†

The Feast

Firewood *

Jaguar, a Yanomamö Twin Cycle Myth

Magical Death †

A Man and His Wife Make a Hammock *†

A Man Called Bee: Studying the Yanomamö †

Moonblood: A Yanomamö Creation Myth †

Myth of Naro, as told by Dedeheiwä

Myth of Naro, as told by Kaobawä

New Tribes Mission

Ocamo is My Town

Tapir Distribution *

Tug-of-War, Yanomamö *

Weeding the Garden *†

Yanomamö: A Multidisciplinary Study

Yanomamö of the Orinoco

* included on the Yanomamö Shorts compilation
† included in the Yanomamö Films: Remastered, Vol. 1 set

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The Sound of Bells

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:09:00 GMT

The Sound of Bells
Buy Now: $320.00

In the historic cities of Minas Gerais, Brazil, bell sounds set the pace of life, announcing time for work, rest, pray, and celebration. With over 40 different bell rings – a product of their Catholic origins and African influences – in the region, the practice has been nominated as Brazilian Intangible Cultural Heritage. This film brings to light the lives of the bell ringers and their young apprentices – men who have devoted themselves to performing this work as a daily commitment – and raises important questions about the nature of language and communication.

The filmmakers travel to 9 cities in the region, one of the last to maintain the bell ringers' tradition, and question its impact on the lifestyle and identity of the people who live there. Going beyond the bell rings, the film looks deeper into the background of the Brazilian people and speaks about the history of their mining work, Afro-Brazilian exploitation, and faith. The Sound of Bells is a poetic representation of religious experience in everyday life.  

The film is part of an expanded documentary project, which uses new media to support increased appreciation of cultural heritage, and to strengthen dialogue and understanding among cultures. The project combines new technologies, sound mapping, and community engagement in a transmedia production that includes an online multimedia platform with sound cartography and innovative content, an interactive documentary, audiovisual public interventions on churches’ façades, and an award-winning audio guide app for mobile devices.

“Part art piece, part documentary, The Sound of Bells centers on the dying art of bell ringing in Minas Gerais, Brazil and explores the bells’ past and present to a changing way of life. The documentary superbly shows rather than tells viewers about the bells’ history, religious connections, social importance, and artistry.”
– Amanda Jo Melchor, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Selected Screeenings and Awards

Official Jury Award for Best Documentary, 21st Florianópolis Audiovisual Mercosul, Brasil, 2017

Honorable mention, 2nd Heritales - International Heritage Film Festival, Portugal, 2017

Best Cinematography, 1st Mostra Sesc de Cinema Paulista, Brazil, 2017

Margaret Mead Film Festival, NYC, 2018

Festival Biarritz, Amérique Latine, 2018

Boston Latino Film Festival, Boston, 2018

Finnish Anthropological Society, Film Programme, 2019

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Video in the Villages: Amazon Projects series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Amazon Projects series
Buy Now: $400.00

These videos give examples of environmental protection and sustainable development projects taking place in indigenous areas of the Amazon. With their cultural respect for natural resources, these indigenous groups have a lot to teach other cultures about co-operation with the environment.

Films in the Amazon Projects series:
Agenda 31

Signs Don't Speak

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Video in the Villages: Ashanika Villages series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Ashanika Villages series
Buy Now: $850.00

Made by indigenous filmmakers, these inventive videos document a range of development projects, beliefs and cultural practices in indigenous communities of Acre, Brazil. We see how contemporary people have maintained some traditional practices and adopted new ones in these dynamic and diverse cultures.

Films in the Ashanika Villages series:
Iauaretê, Waterfall of the Jaguars

Imbé Gikegü, The Scent of Pequi Fruit
Kiarãsâ Yõ Sâty, The Agouti's Peanut

New Era

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Video in the Villages: Conflicts in the Amazon series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Conflicts in the Amazon series
Buy Now: $400.00

This series examines conflict and sustainable development in indigenous areas.

Films in the Conflicts in the Amazon series

Free-For-All In Sararé

It's Now or Never!

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Video in the Villages: Encounters series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Encounters series
Buy Now: $400.00

The Encounters series demonstrates of the ways in which video can facilitate interchanges and solidarity between indigenous groups. Using a combination recorded images and personal contacts, Indians previously isolated from one another are able to form friendships and forge cultural and political alliances.

Films in the Encounters series

Meeting Ancestors

We Gather as a Family

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Video in the Villages: Indians in Brazil series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Indians in Brazil series
Buy Now: $1,400.00

A series of videos produced for the 'TV Escola' (TV School) of Brazil's Ministry of Education. Presented by Indian leader Ailton Krenak, "Indians in Brazil" draws a picture of contemporary indigenous reality, attempting to overcome stereotypes and promote understanding between Indians and non-Indians.

Films in the Indians in Brazil series:
A Different Story
The First Contacts
From the Other Side of the Sky
Our Languages
Our Rights
Our Territory
Who Are They?

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Video in the Villages: Indigenous Video Makers series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Indigenous Video Makers series
Buy Now: $2,700.00

In production workshops, young indigenous filmmakers learn to use video equipment and set their own priorities about what to film. The result is a wide variety of videos about rituals, natural resources, village life, family, mythology and even video making.

Films in the Indigenous Video Makers series

Dancing with a Dog
From the Ikpeng Children to the World
Kinja Iakaha, A Day in the Village
The Living Forest
Moyngo
Nguné Elü
One Must Be Curious
A Path to Live
The Rainy Season
Shomõtsi
Trainees for the Future
Wapté Mnhõnõ, The Xavante's Initiation
Wai'á Rini, The Power of the Dream

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Video in the Villages: Rituals series

Wed, 5 Sep 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Video in the Villages: Rituals series
Buy Now: $320.00

This series approaches ritual and cultural traditions in complicity with Indians, allowing for respectful documentation that is staged by ritual participants. Indians themselves give insight into the beliefs that motivate their traditional rites, as opposed to an outside observer.

Films in the Rituals series

Yákwa, The Banquet of the Spirits

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