Guardians of the Amazon

Guardians of the Amazon

2020, Environment  -   10 Comments
7.71
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Ratings: 7.71/10 from 49 users.

Deforestation rates have doubled in the Amazon rainforest. Brazil's far-right president has embraced the destruction of this precious environmental resource in favor of increased commercial development. Meanwhile, the indigenous people who populate the forest remain largely voiceless and victimized. That is, with the exception of one group - a secretive team known as the Guardians - who hunt down loggers who illegally pillage their home land and bring them to justice. In the tense documentary Guardians of the Amazon, ABC News embeds a camera crew with this group as they embark on a series of raids in the jungle.

Armed with rifles, machetes and bullet proof vests, the Guardians utilize maps, satellite images and good old-fashioned detective work to search for the signs of their prey. Their thirst for retribution is understandable; for as long as many of them can recall, the loggers have pushed them from their homes, cut down their trees, and transformed their plush lands into barren cattle pastures. More than 1/3 of their lands have been destroyed, and the intrusion of the logging and cattle communities show little signs of slowing.

Not all villagers are as adamant in their efforts to stop encroaching industry. In fact, some tribes accept a nominal fee to look the other way. But the Guardians are a different breed. They put their lives on the line to protect their land, which they view as a birthright for their children and grandchildren.

Cameras capture the clan as they track down and interrogate potential loggers at gun point. They eventually happen upon an informer who agrees to guide them to larger operations. A palpable sense of dread and danger blanket their every step through the jungle. By the conclusion of their journey, they will suffer grave injuries and even a fatality.

The president's public rhetoric evokes a disturbing apathy to their plight. The filmmakers' attempts to hold the government's feet to the fire only results in denials.

A terrific work of investigative journalism, Guardians of the Amazon places you in the center of a volatile conflict and gives voice to the warriors who struggle on its front lines.

Directed by: Brian Epstein

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Andresa
Andresa
2 years ago

This is completely fake. Deforestation didn't double, it is on the same level it has been for the past 10-20 years. Also, there are no indigenous people "populating the Amazon", there are barely 25k of them there, whilst the urban population there is about 20 million. Even the indigenous do not live like animals as the documentary tried to show, they have cars and even satellite internet access. I'm not a fan of this president but he didn't change one single law related to the protection of the environment and didn't issue any executive orders related to that either. I'm completely shocked about the fact that an actual TV channel produced this thing, it is completely staged. Most people can't come here to the Amazon so they will just fall for this trap, but as a Brazilian, let me tell you the most important thing you need to know about this entire crap: the Amazon is not the only forest we have and there are other ones that are as important as it or even more. You just do not hear about them because there are no gold, diamonds, oil, or other natural resources there anymore, just animals and trees - two things that do not matter for whoever paid for this documentary.

Cal Cole
Cal Cole
3 years ago

Save the planet !

peruda hudson
peruda hudson
3 years ago

they are a wreched people?? what a twat that guy is.

Grik Simsang
Grik Simsang
3 years ago

Very sad to see this crime; May God protect the Guajajara tribe and al those indeginious people in Amazon

David Denyer
David Denyer
4 years ago

Enlightening alternative to the fake news - real story with the real people fighting the fight.

sulakshashana
sulakshashana
4 years ago

Brilliant.. exposure of mindless. Destruction n tragedy..one man's greed
Needs global support...

mrj
mrj
4 years ago

"Brazil's far-right president has embraced the destruction of this precious environmental resource in favor of increased commercial development..." in your poor opinion.

GunnarInLA
GunnarInLA
4 years ago

"...A terrific work of investigative journalism, Guardians of the Amazon places you in the center of a volatile conflict and gives voice to the warriors who struggle on its front lines...."
...but only 5.50 from 12 "users"...?
...I guess I'll have to watch it...