Educational Media Reviews Online

At the heart of this feature-length documentary is an ethnographic expedition along the Ituí river with filmmaker Bruno Jorge, Bruno Pereira (expedition leader), members from the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) -- “the Brazilian state agency responsible for protection and promotion of rights of indigenous peoples” – interpreters, and members from a socialized Korubo tribe all in search to find isolated Korubo family members who have distanced themselves with little to no contact with the outside world.

Over a period of 32 days, this episodic journey is threefold in its purpose and goal to reunite separated Korubo family members, promote medical monitoring of Indigenous tribes, and to form a peaceful pact between the warring Korubo and Matis tribes.

From time immemorial, Indigenous tribes living along the Brazilian, Peru, and Columbian borders live in constant danger and fear from predators who engage in poaching, trafficking, illegal logging, oil smuggling, gold digging, and more thus resulting in indescribable corruption, murder, and civil wars. The illegal rape of resources and an encroachment of land have forced many Indigenous tribes to further retreat into the deep jungle to halt the erasure of their culture and civilization.

This documentary, albeit a bit long, shows how the Korubo engage in daily activities thus bringing about a cultural awareness not known to foreigners. The Korubo show us how they bathe, hunt for food (mostly fish, monkeys, and tapirs, and if this reviewer might interject, hunting and skinning a monkey is not for the weak stomach), make tools from natural resources-- the stick/club being the predominate weapon of choice in warfare--and how they engage in ceremonial dance and song.

Although it is a successful mission to reunite with isolated tribes in the Vale do Javari region, sadly, Bruno Pereira, is later murdered on a similar expedition in the same region while protecting and reporting the invasion of Indigenous lands. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information documented about the Korubo on film. However, this reviewer did watch Korubo: A Fight to the End on Amazon Prime by filmmaker Luis Miguel Domingues. The documentary delves further into the life of the Korubo tribe.

In short, the documentary could use some editing. However, it is very insightful film and shines a light on forgotten Indigenous tribes living and surviving in the Amazon rainforest. I propose that the audience learn more about the Korubo (also known as Dslala) via articles, and the Internet. In Portuguese and Korubo with English Subtitles.

I recommend this documentary for Global and International Studies, and Indigenous Studies.

Awards:
Jury Award Best Intl’ Documentary, Docville Int’l Documentary Film Festival, Belgium; Best Latin American Film, The Human Rights Film Festival Sucre, Bolivia; Best Portuguese Doc, The Cineeco, Serra Da Estrela Int’l Environmental Festival, Portugal; Lasa Award of Merit in Film, Latin American Studies Film Festival, Colombia; Special Mention, Nancy International Film Festival, France; Special Mention, Biarritz Latin International Film Festival, France; Audience Award, Brazilian Film Festival Milan, Brazil Agenda, Italy; Best Editing, Cinematography & Sound, Brasília International Film Festival (BIFF), Brazil; Best Film and Audience Award, Ecofalante Environmental Film Festival, Brazil

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