A philosopher, a shaman, a member of the Shawi Nation, and a great man, Rafael brings the viewer in for a deeper look into the river as he shares his philosophies and cultural knowledge. While most modern looks into the Amazon focus on the physical nature of the forest, Rafael takes this documentary to another level.
A local fisherman, Walter interacts directly with the river everyday. His son brags that “He knows everything about the river,” and that’s not an understatement. A wealth of historical, cultural, practical, and biological knowledge, Walter is a friendly man willing to share it all with filmmakers.
Darly is a shaman, and is deeply respected in her community, which often depends on her wisdom and her knowledge of the river and it's spirits. In the film, she takes viewers deep into the significance of the river as a Spiritual being.
MEET THE CAST
Countless films have been made about the Amazon, each focused on different aspects of the region's natural beauty. However, these films tend to avoid or even deny the existence of the complex relationship between human communities and the rivers,
a relationship that has existed for thousands of years.
El Río is the first film to be not only about the people of Amazonia, but made by them as well. Some of the most important voices of the film are featured here.
