Birdwatchers

A story about and with Guarani Indians, to be precise from the Kaiowá tribe, who decide to leave their restricted reservation in Brazil and return to the land of their forefathers.
Bechis worked for more than five years on producing and finally shooting the film. As you can imagine, it was a complex and difficult project – after all, who would want to spend money on a film with unknown Indians who are also not trained as actors – but you can’t see that in the film. The film looks supple and convincing, almost nonchalant in its construction. It’s a film with a very natural rhythm and an equally natural authenticity.
The Guarinis take possession of their original land, more or less, which brings them into conflict with the present owners. After minor clashes and expressions of incomprehension, the mood becomes grimmer. Blood will flow.
One of the nicest scenes is at the beginning. A boat with tourists is sailing up the river through the jungle when they suddenly come face-to-face with authentic Indians, naked apart from their paint, with self-made weapons at the ready. The tourists sail on excitedly. The Indians put on their jeans and collect their daily wages.
It sets the tone of a film which is about deep incomprehension between local and original inhabitants, but which nowhere becomes bitter. Sensitive, yes. (GjZ)