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Flying Rivers is a Brazilian documentary film that explores the impact of deforestation on the Amazon rainforest and the effects it has on the water cycle. The film is directed by Mariana Kaipper Ceratti and produced by Leonardo Sette and Nina Pinheiro. The documentary introduces us to the concept of 'flying rivers'. These are created through the natural process of evapotranspiration where the trees in the Amazon rainforest absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere through transpiration. This water then condenses and falls back into the forest as rain, which is then absorbed by the trees again, initiating the cycle anew. In this way, the Amazon rainforest acts as a natural pump, bringing water from the Atlantic Ocean and delivering it inland through the atmosphere.

However, the rampant deforestation carried out in the Amazon region in recent decades has disrupted this natural system. With fewer trees to absorb and release water, the amount of rainfall in the region has decreased significantly. The film shows that in some areas where the rainforest has been heavily destroyed, the climate has changed from humid tropical to arid or semi-arid, and severe droughts have become more frequent.

To illustrate the significance of the flying rivers, the documentary introduces us to the Sao Paulo water crisis of 2014-15 when the city nearly ran out of water due to a prolonged drought. The crisis was exacerbated by the fact that over 60% of the city's water supply comes from the nearby Cantareira reservoir, which in turn is replenished by water from the Amazon basin. The film shows how deforestation in the Amazon has affected the water supply of an entire city, highlighting the issue of the destruction of the rainforest.

The documentary also touches upon the political and economic factors that have driven deforestation in the Amazon region. It explores the competing interests of landowners, powerful agribusiness corporations and the Brazilian government, which has been criticized for its lack of strong environmental policies.

Flying Rivers features interviews with experts in various fields such as climatology, meteorology, and ecology, who provide insight into the complexities of the water cycle and the impacts of deforestation. The film also features stunning visuals of the Amazon rainforest, highlighting its beauty and biodiversity.

Overall, Flying Rivers is a thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on how deforestation in the Amazon region has disrupted the natural water cycle and has far-reaching consequences for the climate and the environment. The film also makes a case for urgent action to protect the region and its rich biodiversity, which is essential not only for the well-being of the Amazonian communities but also for the health of the planet as a whole. While it focuses on issues specific to the Amazon, the themes of deforestation and ecosystem destruction are relevant for all regions of the world facing similar environmental challenges.

Flying Rivers is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 53 minutes.