Watch Raoni

Raoni is a 1978 documentary film that covers the plight of the Amazonian indigenous people through the story of Raoni, a Kayapó tribesman from Brazil. Directed by the French filmmakers, Jean-Pierre Dutilleux and Luiz Carlos Saldanha, the movie features Marlon Brando as a narrator and Clive Kelly as an interviewer. Jacques Perrin produced the film.

The movie's central theme is the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the displacement of native people due to commercial exploitation. Raoni, the protagonist of the movie, belongs to the Kayapó tribe, a group of people living in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. In the film, Raoni depicts his tribe's way of life and their deep attachment to the environment. The documentary shows the process he went through as a tribal leader, how he became a spokesperson for his people, and how he tries to protect their land and way of life from destruction.

The movie begins with footage of Raoni's tribe and the surrounding jungle, where we find Raoni leading his people through their day-to-day activities. They hunt, fish, and cultivate the land for survival. Raoni explains that the jungle is their home, their supermarket, and their pharmacy, and their life revolves around the rhythm of the forest. The tribe is self-sufficient, and they have a deep respect for nature.

However, the situation changes when a major mining company plans to extract minerals from the Amazon basin. The mining companies' arrival threatens not only the Kayapó people's way of life but also the entire Amazon ecosystem. The documentary reveals the consequences of commercial exploitation of the forest, such as deforestation, pollution, and displacement of native communities. Raoni takes on the mission to protect his people, their territory, and their way of life. He travels to different parts of Brazil and the world to raise awareness of his people's plight and gain support from government officials and international organizations.

The movie also explores the relationship between the Kayapó people and the modern world outside the Amazon basin. For instance, Raoni travels to Rio de Janeiro to talk to Brazilian politicians about his community's concerns. It is interesting to observe the differences in attitude towards life and nature between Raoni and the Brazilian politicians. Raoni's tribe represents a way of life that is thousands of years old, which contrasts sharply with the modern world represented by the Brazillian officials.

One of the most striking parts of the movie is the scene where Raoni first meets Marlon Brando, an American actor. Brando expresses his interest in Raoni's tribe and their culture. The two have a fascinating conversation about the importance of preserving the environment and culture. Marlon Brando's voice-over and his conversations with Raoni throughout the movie add to the documentary's appeal, making it a compelling story.

Overall, Raoni is an insightful documentary that highlights the plight of indigenous people of the Amazon, who face the threat of displacement due to commercial exploitation of their land. The documentary is an appeal to the world to protect the Amazon and its people by preserving its biodiversity and traditional way of life. It is a movie with a powerful message that still resonates today, especially as the Amazon forest continues to face the threat of deforestation and environmental degradation. Raoni is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about the impact of modernization and commercialization on indigenous people's lives and the environment.