This is the story of a native people from Brazil living in the deep western Amazon, returning to their ancestral and spiritual way of life by getting in touch with their own culture and identity. 

Welcome to the live event where the awarded documentary “Eskawatã Kayawai : The Spirit of Transformation” will be exhibited together with the directors - Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem. A long journey of 7 years working with the Huni Kuin indigenous people from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, summarizing into a 72 minutes film - finally being delivered online.

We have made 2 years of independent distribution, reaching 20+ countries, 126 exhibitions, 41 festivals - awarded 13 times, 2 international tours - in the US with 30 exhibitions in 22 cities, and in Europe, 15 exhibitions in 7 countries. We also have reached indigenous lands, summing 10 screenings in 7 states of Brazil. 

Observing how in recent years the theme of master plants has spread strongly, quickly and with little information, we feel a strong responsibility and respect for the theme of the film, and the Huni Kuin people, to share this message with great care, bringing awareness instead of supporting the illusion into fantasy. All screenings were made in-person or with recorded videos so that each person can make this journey to the Amazon and the world of medicine with plenty of understanding and grounding. This event supports this thinking and it’s a celebration of a long conscious delivery journey that finally reaches the online world and therefore, can be accessible to all.

The event counts with a good intro of 30 min, where the directors will be sharing some views and storytellings. Followed by the movie of 72min, with a little 5min break. With a final sharing from the directors of 40 minutes sharing, where they will be taking questions.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

In the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, the Huni Kuin people are undergoing a profound renaissance of their identity. After enduring decades of slavery, massacres, and cultural suppression, their resurgence began in 2000. Two decades later, they're thriving at a cultural peak, rediscovering and embracing their true heritage.

KEY INFO

Experience a 70+ minute documentary depicting the resurgence of the Huni Kuin's indigenous culture and spiritual practices through their engagement with their sacred forest medicine of ayahuasca.
Spanning 7 years, this project takes viewers to the Huni Kuin Village Novo Futuro in the heart of the Amazon. The film captures the revival of their culture and spirituality through ceremonies, rituals, cultural customs, music, and interviews with various community leaders representing different demographics, offering insights into their lives and experiences with their tradition.
Directed by Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem, the film is produced by Bem-te-vi Productions in collaboration with figures like Ninawa Pai da Mata (Spiritual leader of Novo Futuro Village) and Marcos Vinicius Romão (Co-Organizer of the Festival Eskawatã Kayawai). Co-produced by Joakim Hauge from Norway, with Executive Production involvement from Oona Chaplin and Alex Moreno from the US, alongside Torstein Grude from Norway.

A FILM BY BTV PRODUCTIONS

Brazilian cultural production initiative since 2012 through the five continents specialising in ethnographic documentaries that captures ancestral cultures and diverse world-views that has a close relationship to the natural laws. 

From the heights of the Peruvian mountains to the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, and from the deserts of India to the mystic lagoons of Guatemala, meeting representatives who embody oral traditions and safeguard collective history. The duo then bring the expression of traditional peoples by their own understanding of the world, at the same time in a multicultural language connecting with global issues where anyone can identify, remember and reflect.

Their films have been exhibited worldwide in tours and featured in numerous international festivals and events, as well at indigenous lands. Receiving support from UNESCO, Ministry of Culture of Brazil, Brazilian Content and Cinema Paradiso. Collaborations include work with acclaimed filmmakers Torstein Grude ("Act Of Killing") and Oona Chaplin ("Avatar 2").

THE FILM JOURNEY

After the successful premiere at world's biggest science conference, the MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference in Denver/US, the film had a US tour together with Chacruna Institute and Global Psychedelic Society, for 3 months, making 30 exhibitions in 12 states, 22 cities - presented by Lara Jacoski - inviting Joseph Mays (IRI - Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative) and eventually other speakers such as Bia Labate (Chacruna Institute), Danielle Negrini (SF Psychedelic Society) and Maxi Cohen (film director based in NY).  Followed by a European tour, together with Saravá Foundation for a month and a half, making 15 exhibitions in 7 countries (UK, AT, CZ, SK, ES, PO, PT) - presented by both directors Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem, mediated by Eva Cesarova (CZ, PSYRES Foundation for Psychedelic Research and Co-founder of Czech Psychedelic Society)).

The film was accepted in festivals all over the world, summing 41 acceptances and 13 awards in about 19 countries.