It is a triumph to be able to show our sufferings , says Guarany-Kaiowá Indian girl during debate on the film Birdwatchers
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Birdwatchers is a film by Marco Bechis which shows the wounds that aflict the Guarany-Kaiowá Indians in Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as the land conflicts between Indians and farmers of that region. The film crew met on October the 29th, at Cine Bombril, to discuss that work with the audience of the 32nd São Paulo International Film Festival. Part of the Indian cast, director Marco Bechis, producer Fabiano Gullane and scriptwriter Luiz Bolognesi participated in the debate. Filmmaker Jorge Bodanzky and lawyer Nereu Schneider were also part of the debate panel.

During the debate, Guarany-Kaiowá Indian actress Eliane Juca da Silva condensed the feelings of the Indian crew: In our village there are many suicides. Young people get involved in drugs and alcohol. Showing our peoples sufferings is a great conquest for us, she said.
Enthusiasm for the film is shared by Chief Ambrósio Vilhalva, who also acts in Birdwatchers: The simple fact that this film exists brings the Indians problems to light.

On the other hand, Fabiano Gullane, producer of the film, explained that he intends to use the film as a tool for political discussions. When one knows the kind of life they (the Guarany-Kaiowá Indians) lead, it is impossible to stand aside. We are interested in exposing the cultural question of the film, and bring out a political issue. Making this issue a point of political discussion, not only in Brazil, but world over, is the kind of cooperation we can give, said he.

Filmmaker Jorge Bodanzky praised the film`s originality, as it allowed Indians to portray themselves. It is a great risk making the people in the film portray themselves. And that is what gives sense to this particular film. Indians were able to portray themselves in a conscious way, which added veracity to the characters, and without that, the film would probably have fallen flat, said he.

Scriptwriter Luiz Bolognesi explained how the Indian group contributed to the developing of the scenes. Marco (Bechis) established a shooting formula very close to the Indians dynamics. He would bring the group together, almost like a village meeting, and then he would discuss the next scene with them right there. So, the scene would be transformed according to their indications. It made the film very real. The scriptwriter was necessary to keep the dramaturgy, the plot, but the script would always go after their truth, he added.

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA