“The Territory” is a bold, award-winning documentary that bravely reveals the mystery behind the fires in the Amazon rainforest.
In 2019, many believed the destruction of the Amazon rainforest was caused by natural factors, such as dry seasons, and by climate change. However, behind those fires and deforestation were individuals in power—landowners, multinational corporations, and dangerous men with guns—who sought to take the land that had long belonged to the indigenous people of Brazil.
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| Intentional Fires in the Amazon, The Territory, Copyright © National Geographic 2022 |
During his political campaign, the Bolsonaro regime started hate speech against Brazil’s indigenous people: “There won’t be getting one more inch of the indigenous reserve land.” When the populist candidate won the presidency, his government did nothing to protect the land, the natives, the flora and fauna, and the endangered species.
The original story was revealed when Neidinha Bandeira, a forest defender and activist, received enough hate mail, death threats, and a kidnapping attempt, prompting her to send an urgent message about her safety and the area's security to journalists around the world.
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| Director Alex Pritz, producer Gabriel Uchida & producer Sigrid Dyekjær. Photo by José Alberto Hermosillo. Raleigh Studios, Hollywood. Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022 |
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| Director Alex Pritz, producer Gabriel Uchida. Photo by José Alberto Hermosillo. Raleigh Studios, Hollywood. Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022 |
In New York, director Alex Pritz started a conversation with elderly Indigenous people and, with their permission, documented their lives. Later, he became interested in filming Brazilian natives in their land. Their resilience, courage, and resistance motivated him to participate in the documentary.
Respectful of indigenous cultural identity, Alex Pritz avoided exploiting the natives’ land, culture, or language, recognizing that white settlers had taken so much from them, including their land. White people assumed ownership of the indigenous narrative and traditions.
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| The Territory, Copyright © National Geographic 2022 |
After a devastating fire, Neidinha questions the illegal actions of conscienceless individuals and the massive environmental damage they have caused to humanity. She also requests safety for the Uru-eu-wau-wau people and wonders how many more must die to protect the rainforest.
Alex Pritz’s subtle camera work is outstanding. His footage ranges from tiny insects to aerial shots of the Amazon. He shares cinematography credits with an insider, Tangãi Uru-eu-wau-wau.
Alex Pritz reached out to the Invaders, comparing his personal experience and the white trespassers in Brazil with American colonialism, which often sees itself as heroic without understanding its actions.
It took three years to produce the documentary, and the challenges were significant. The crew often had to drive 6 to 12 hours to reach remote locations, especially during the rainy season.
Editor Carlos Rojas presents the film in a natural flow, allowing viewers to follow each character as their struggles and hopes unfold. The transitions are seamless. However, maintaining visual balance among all storylines is essential. The excess expository dialogue reduces the emotional impact of this already powerful film.
Katya Mihailova’s music is unforgettable. She exudes positivity, and her lively rhythms heighten tension during dangerous scenes. To showcase each character’s uniqueness, the composer gave each a distinct score, enhancing the sounds of the frontier and rainforest.
Renowned director Darren Aronofsky (“The Whale,” “Black Swan,” “The Wrestler”) also participated, along with Sigrid Dyekjær (“The Cave,” “Food and Country”) and Gabriel Uchida from the outstanding production team, providing full support and control to director Alex Pritz.
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| The Territory, Copyright © National Geographic 2022 |
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| Director Alex Pritz, producer Gabriel Uchida, film critic José Alberto Hermosillo & producer Sigrid Dyekjær. Raleigh Studios, Hollywood. Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022 |
Fans of President Bolsonaro learned about the making of the film, how the documentary empowered native communities, wanted the filmmakers out of Brazil, and sent death threats to their phones, emails, and homes.
During its three-week theatrical run in Brazil, “The Territory” received a strong response from locals, with half of the audience coming from indigenous communities.
“The Territory” is a highly recommended documentary nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, and Outstanding Direction for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program. It is now streaming on Hulu.
The National Geographic/Brazilian co-production won the Audience Award and the Special Jury Award for Best Documentary at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. It also received the Cinema for Peace Award and Best Documentary at the Zurich Film Festival.
The Territory | Official Trailer | National Geographic
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| Director Alex Pritz, producer Gabriel Uchida & film critic José Alberto Hermosillo. Raleigh Studios, Hollywood. Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022 |
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