A war rages in Brazil. Ever encroaching, civilization creeps closer to the heart of the Amazon. Indigenous resistance groups have militarized, enforcing laws state and national police refuse that protect their land rights and their forests. This is Our Everything follows a group of Guajajara land defenders who scour their lands for evidence of lumber poaching. When they find proof, they follow the trail, typically right to the loggers’ supplies or trucks. In many moments, we watch their policing actions: they take names, ID and license plate numbers, and tools, warning them that trespassing on their protected lands a second time will grant harsher consequences. When not policing, the Guajajara fighters share their opinions about life, culture, and the Awá people, one of the last uncontacted groups in the Amazon. Once a sister tribe, the Awá have retreated from their Guajajara cousins who have acculturated to Brazilian culture, but the Guajajara have sworn to protect them from the advance of society.
This is Our Everything is a fascinating glimpse into the frontlines of Indigenous resistance in Brazil. We’re given up-close and personal footage of actions, training, and family life, providing a well-rounded view of the land defenders and their lives. It’s also fascinating to have an Indigenous perspective on an uncontacted group, and they often discuss the Awá. The Guajajara are fiercely defensive of the Awá, hoping to create a time and space where the uncontacted people can live without fear. They discuss their motivations beyond their immediate territory as well, often scolding poaching loggers about the “lungs of the world” that they are tearing down for a few bucks. As much as this resistance is about self-preservation, it’s also based in a radical ecology that understands the root of humans’ climatic effects on the planet. This masterclass of frontline documentary filmmaking will be of most interest to people who enjoy learning about the Indigenous people of Brazil, land protectors, and ecology. Highly Recommend.
What academic subject can use this Indigenous environmental justice documentary in the classroom?
This is Our Everything is an essential teaching resource for courses in Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, Latin American Studies, Cultural Anthropology, and Human Geography. Its intimate portrayal of Guajajara land defenders offers students a first-hand look at grassroots climate activism, ecological justice, and the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection. Instructors using media literacy and ethnographic film can use this title to spark discussions around Indigenous resistance movements and global environmental crises.
Why is This is Our Everything a must-have environmental justice documentary for your library collection?
This powerful frontline documentary is ideal for any academic or public library documentary collection focused on ecology, land rights, or climate justice. This is Our Everything provides rare access to Indigenous-led activism in Brazil, a region central to global ecological health. It belongs on shelves alongside other environmental justice documentaries like The White Guard / La Guardia Blanca that address forest protection, Indigenous sovereignty, and post-colonial resistance movements. For documentary film buyers and media librarians, this is a standout addition to any film archive on global activism and conservation.
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