Cinema Politica screening | Karuara, People of the River

Join us for a free Cinema Politica Groningen documentary screening set deep in Peru’s Amazon region, where the Karuara, or “People of the River,” rule a vast network of spirit villages along the Marañón River.

About the Documentary
Deep in Peru’s Amazon region, the Marañón River is home to a vast network of spirit villages ruled by the Karuara, or “People of the River.” Through enchanting hand-painted animation that fills the frame with vibrant compositions, we are transported inside the river world, where spirits lounge in hammocks made of boa constrictors and smoke sardines wearing stingray hats and catfish shoes. Laughing children ride to school on giant turtles and play football with inflated blowfish. Behind their playfulness, however, the Karuara are also metaphysical ecologists maintaining the delicate balance of life in the waterways.
For centuries, the Kukama people have depended on their rivers for survival. But, in a world that continuously puts a price tag on nature and humanizes the corporations responsible for the cultural genocide that is taking place, a federation of women, led by Mariluz Canaquiri, decide to fight back and file a groundbreaking lawsuit demanding the river, too, be recognized as a legal person with rights.

All of our documentaries are in English or include English subtitles. Our screenings are free and open to all. After each film, we host a lively discussion with experts from the Faculty of Arts and outside, followed by Q&A for audience questions.

We hope to see you there!!

About Cinema Politica:
Cinema Politica is a non-profit media arts organization dedicated to supporting the work of independent, political filmmakers. Cinema Politica is headquartered in Canada with local chapters that organise screenings all around the world. The Faculty of Arts is proud to host the Cinema Politica Groningen chapter.

Cinema Politica offers films on a wide variety of themes: Human rights, politics, globalisation, art, activism, refugee/migrants, war/conflict, social movements and many more.

Here at the Faculty of Arts, we will choose titles that have a relation to the research being done at our faculty in particular. All of the documentaries are in English or include English subtitles. Our screenings are free and open to all. After each film, we host a lively discussion with experts from the Faculty of Arts and beyond, followed by Q&A for audience questions.

Stay updated on upcoming screenings by following us on Instagram: @cpgroningen or LinkedIn.

Interested in teaming up with one of our next political documentary screenings? We love to collaborate with experts and community members from the area. Send an email to: cinemapolitica@rug.nl