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When Two Worlds Collide 2016

Highly Recommended

Distributed by First Run Features, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036; 212-243-0600

Directed by Heidi Brandenburg Sierralta and Mathew Orzel
, color, 103 min. Spanish with English subtitles



High School - General Adult
Activism, Agriculture, Conservation, Sustainability, International Trade, Industrial Production, Native Peoples, Natural Resources, Protest Culture and Society, Water Pollution

Date Entered: 01/10/2017

Reviewed by James Gordon, University at Buffalo Libraries

One world is indigenous people who own portions of the Amazon River basin. The other world is a collaboration between government and corporations set on profiteering by extracting natural resources, especially oil, from property owned by indigenous people. When those facing exploitation organize, a deadly conflict ensues. This documentary does a superb job telling the story of this conflict. It’s not merely a stellar documentary, it’s a good movie.

The movie documents a cascading series of tense events taking place over several years. It’s the story of Alan Garcia, President of Peru (2006-2011) partnering with big business in the name of “progress” vs Alberto Pizango and the indigenous people of Peru’s Amazon River demanding their property not be seized and sold involuntarily.

The topic of this film is best addressed using an interdisciplinary approach. History, politics, activism, ethical business and government policy and respect for diversity are factors to consider. It would be instructive to compare what happened in Peru to what could happen here regarding policies on eminent domain.

Awards

  • DMZ International Documentary Film Festival 2016, Special Jury Prize
  • Dokufest International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2016, Green Dox
  • Madrid International Documentary Film Festival 2016, Grand Jury Prize
  • Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival 2016, Best Documentary - Special Mention
  • Mumbai Film Festival 2016, Special Jury Mention
  • Sundance Film Festival 2016, Special Jury Prize
  • Zurich Film Festival 2016, Audience Award Best Film