Tekoha: Land without Evil
Vas and I have been in Mato Grosso do Sul for nearly 2 weeks. And everything has continued to develop well- as an indication of how much content we're getting, we had to pop over to Paraguay yesterday to buy another harddrive- tax free!
The story that has emerged during this trip treads the fine line between the need and desire for energy security and the environmental and social costs that come with that. Brazil water wealth - 12% of the world's freshwater - places it in a privileged position to lead the development of a global biofuels market. And with the strong support of the US and Europe, Brazil is currently trying to export its biofuels production model to other parts of the world. But the social and environmental costs of Brazil's biofuels expansion are yet to be fully quantified.
Mato Grosso do Sul, which lies over the Guarani Aquifer, has seen a rapid expansion of its sugarcane-ethanol industry in the last three years. This has pitted the indigenous Guarani against the landowners, and the agro-industry against the environment.
But the more we examine the situation the less easy it becomes to paint one side the villan and the other the victim. And this film will tread the fine line between needs, wants and sustainability.
We've come up with a working title for the documentary:
Tekoha: Land without Evil
The 'Tekoha' is the Guarani's traditional land. While it is a physical place, the word 'Tehoka' also refers to the spiritual connection the Guarani have with their land. The Guarani religion is prophetic, and they believe that they will one day return to a land without evil.
We think that this message holds a greater meaning for postion we find ourselves in today, as the need to feed and power the growing global population appears to come in direct conflict with the need to protect the environment.
Guarani spirituality is also predicated on the belief that they belong to the land, not the other way round. And I think there's something to be learnt from that as well.
Below is a short trailer we cut together to give you a flavour of what we've been up to. Enjoy!
And, anyone who opted for a postcard when supporting this project, and hasn't yet sent me their address, please do so in the next 3 days!
That's all from Brazil...
Annabel
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Comments
Creator Joanna Vankralingen on October 26, 2010
Darling Bel and your magical cameraman. It is 8am and have read your most recent article and seen the video. I cannot imagine how you are living but you are making your mark on this earth and letting us in to a world most of us will never see. Thank you. xxx Jo