Synopsis
In Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, the farmers lead a wealthy and leisurelyexistence. They own huge fields with transgenic plantations and they spend their nights with tourists who come bird watching. Meanwhile, at the borders of their lands, the uneasiness of the natives, who were the legitimate inhabitants of those lands, is rapidly growing. Enclosed in reserves, with no other perspective except that of working as semi-slaves in sugar beet plantations, many young people commit suicide. It is such a suicide that stirs up a rebellion. Led by Nadio, and by a shaman, a group of native Guarani-Kaiowà starts camping outside one of the properties to claim their land back. The two opposing worlds face each other, engaging in a metaphorical as well as a real war. But as well as anger, both sides are also fascinated and curious about “the other”. A curiosity that will create a deep bond between the young shaman apprentice Osvaldo, and a farmer’s daughter…
Trailer
Press
"The plight of the Indians living on reservations in the Brazilian Amazon has rarely been portrayed with such warmth and realism as in “Bird Watchers,” a well-constructed film that proudly wears its politically correct credentials"
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Solid, sympathetic filmmaking with a terrific opening…Bechis spent considerable time rehearsing his performers, and it shows in their naturalness and ease before the camera. Especially praiseworthy is Alicelia Batista Cabreira…always an idiosyncratic employer of music, Bechis beautifully inserts motets by Domenico Zipoli"
VARIETY
Festivals
& Awards
Venice International Film Festival
São Paulo International Film Festival
Mar del Plata Film Festival
Febio Film Festival
Istanbul Film Festival
CPH:PIX
Seattle International Film Festival
Festival del Cinema Italiano Tokyo
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Los Angeles Film Festival
Motovun Film Festival
Warsaw Film Festival
Cast & Crew
Abrísio Da Silva Pedro | |
---|---|
Alicélia Batista Cabreira | |
Ademilson Concianza Verga | |
Ambrósio Vilhalva | |
Claudio Santamaria | |
Matheus Nachtergaele | |
Fabiane Pereira Da Silva |
Director | Marco Bechis |
---|---|
Writers | Marco Bechis, Luiz Bolognesi |
Producers | Amedeo Pagani, Fabiano Gullane |
Marco Bechis, Caio Gullane | |
Cinematographer | Hélcio Alemão Nagamine |
Art Directors | Clóvis Bueno, Caterina Giargia |
Costume Designers | Caterina Giargia, Valeria Stefani |
Sound | Gaspar Scheuer |
Editor | Jacopo Quadri |
Music | Andrea Guerra |