While the world turns its eyes toward Brazil for COP30, ZED brings to the international market a powerful 52-minute documentary by Alexandre Bouchet, dedicated to an iconic figure in the fight to preserve the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous culture.
As world-renowned Kayapo chief Raoni Metuktire prepares to actively take part in the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Belém, Franco-Brazilian filmmaker Alexandre Bouchet is currently working on a documentary project that reflects his lifelong struggle. With exclusive access granted by Raoni and his people, the director was able to capture immersive sequences filmed in the heart of the Xingu Reserve – Brazil’s largest Indigenous territory.
Raoni, Amazonian Warrior (Yemaya Production) is a visually striking odyssey that tells the story of a man who has spent more than half a century defending the living world – from his early years as a hunter-gatherer to UN platforms, from his battle against the Belo Monte Dam to his ongoing advocacy for Indigenous rights, through the preparations leading up to COP30.
Now in the twilight of his life, Raoni Metuktire seeks to pass on his struggle to a new generation of defenders. This documentary aims to amplify his voice while urging us to rethink our bond with nature.
“As the balance of life on our planet falters, one of the few viable paths to addressing the climate crisis lies in rebuilding our alliance with the guardians of the forest. Raoni embodies that alliance: He is the voice of a world struggling to survive the limitless appetite of global capitalism. The film explores the legacy he leaves behind. Which generations will take up this fight? Will young Kayapo leaders and their allies turn the memory of resistance into a movement for the future? Raoni, Amazonian Warrior bears witness to the continuity of a struggle – and to the need to unite ancestral traditions and modernity to protect our planet.” – Alexandre Bouchet, director, producer and founder of Yemaya Productions
“With Raoni and local communities expected to play a central role at COP30, taking place in Amazonia this month, the timing of this documentary is extremely significant. It offers a unique opportunity for broadcasters and platforms worldwide to draw global attention to the urgent challenges facing the region, to amplify the voices of communities whose lives and traditions are at risk, and to highlight their crucial role in shaping a solution to the climate crisis.” – Charlotte Tachet, Head of Distribution and Acquisitions at ZED
Alexandre Bouchet has devoted numerous films to exploring the challenges of preserving Amazonian Indigenous territories. Thanks to a long-standing relationship of trust with the Kayapo people, he has gained exceptional access to Raoni and his inner circle.
“For more than twenty years, I’ve been filming in immersion along the frontiers of the ‘pioneer world’ and the Indigenous territories of the Xingu. This continuity has given me a deep understanding of the terrain, local networks, and cultural codes. My connection with Raoni’s circle has been built over time – through repeated shoots in the Xingu, many visits without a camera to foster dialogue, and a constant commitment to faithfully convey their voices.” – AB
Produced by Yemaya Productions for Ushuaïa TV, Raoni, Amazonian Warrior (52′ & 70′ in 4K) is now open for presales. With delivery scheduled for early 2026, the documentary project will be launched by ZED (Charlotte Tachet) at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP) in Rio de Janeiro this December.
