The Territory

The Territory documentary provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon.

With awe-inspiring cinematography showcasing the titular landscape and richly textured sound design, The Territory takes audiences deep into the Uru-eu-wau-wau community and provides unprecedented access to the farmers and settlers illegally burning and clearing the protected Indigenous land.

Partially shot by the Uru-eu-wau-wau people, the film relies on vérité footage captured over three years as the community risks their lives to set up their own news media team in the hopes of exposing the truth. Many of its images were created by Bitaté, a young leader who, based on this experience, started using drones to monitor the limits of his territory, recording deforestation and land invasions by illegal land grabbers and miners.

Here are some of the key themes of The Territory:

• The importance of protecting Indigenous land and cultures
• The fight against deforestation and illegal logging
• The resilience of the Uru-eu-wau-wau people
• The power of storytelling to raise awareness about important issues

The Territory has been praised for its cinematography, its intimate portrayal of the Uru-eu-wau-wau people, and its powerful message about the importance of protecting Indigenous lands and cultures.

Overall, The Territory is a powerful and moving film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Reviews & Awards

The Territory’ Review: Saving the Amazon, One Camera at a Time – The New York Times

The film has won numerous awards, including the Audience Award and Special Jury Award for Documentary Craft at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

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