<div>This is the story of a native people from Brazil living in the deep western Amazon, returning to their ancestral and spiritual way of life by getting in touch with their own culture and identity. In the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, the Huni Kuin people are undergoing a profound renaissance of their identity. After enduring decades of slavery, massacres, and cultural suppression, their resurgence began in 2000. Two decades later, they're thriving at a cultural peak, rediscovering and embracing their true heritage. A journey into the heart of the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, where the self-proclaimed Huni Kuin (true people) are undergoing a remarkable cultural renaissance. Enduring decades of slavery and oppression, they were once forbidden to live their true identity. Over the past 20 years, guided by spiritual leader Ninawá Pai da Mata and other revered figures, these communities within the Humaitá Indigenous Land have prayed and strengthened their culture, remembering and practicing the ancient ways. Today, they stand at a cultural zenith—a tale of unwavering resilience and fortitude emanating from the heart of the Amazon, now shared and narrated by the Huni Kuin themselves, resonating across the world in these transformative times. Main Credits: With: Ninawá Pai Da Mata Main cast: Huni Kuin indigenous people Ikamuru Huni Kuin, Yube Dua Bake, Txana Tuwe, Dua Buse Dua Bake, Biruany Huni Kuin, Timá Huni Kuin. Director : Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem D.O.P : Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem Co-Producer : Joakim Vocke Hauge (Hinterland / NO) In association with: Ninawá Pai da Mata and Txai Vinícius Yube Ika Ni Bai Executive producer: Oona Chaplin (Double Rainbow Productions / US), Torstein Grude (Piraya / NO), Alex Moreno (Cine-Creative Media / US) Co-executive producers: Lucía Alonso (ES), Bodhi Kaya (AF), Coco Amos (AF) and Kristen Nicole (US. Sound: Origens Sound Farm (BR) – Andreia Freire This work received grants from the Brazilian Show Me The Fund, powered by Brazilian Content, Cinema do Brasil, Projeto Paradiso, plus a 2 years support of international collective crowdfunding with 300+ people. DIRECTORS: Lara Jacoski and Patrick Belem co-direct Bem-te-vi Produções, an independent Brazilian film production house. Their journey as nomadic filmmakers, spanning continents since 2012, centers on crafting ethnographic documentaries that capture ancestral cultures and diverse perspectives on the world. Their focus lies in producing multicultural projects that transcend language barriers, revealing the intrinsic beauty and authenticity of human cultures and individuals embracing their genuine narratives.
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Copy Of Family Copy

Eskawatã Kayawai Film

This film captures the essence of a specific region while, in different ways, resonating with the broader reality faced by Indigenous communities across Brazil.

Eskawatã Kayawai - The Spirit of Transformation

Copy Of Eskawata Pic Ninawa   Credit @garyvanwykphotography

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The self-claimed Huni Kuin (meaning true people) are based in the Humait&aacute; River, in the state of Acre, Brazil. Their history is one of resilience. Ever since the arrival of the first colonizers, the Huni Kuin have faced near extinction. For a long time, they were forbidden from practicing their traditions, speaking their language, or expressing their culture. Many of their elders were forced to hide their knowledge, and much of it was lost. 
Over the last 20 years, the Huni Kuin have fought to reclaim their identity and reconnect with their roots. In just two decades, they have regained their language, their customs, and their way of life. For this community to thrive and for their legacy to continue, the elders play a critical role. The Huni Kuin refer to their elders as &ldquo;living libraries&rdquo; the keepers of the cultural and scientific knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. But this wisdom is increasingly under threat. 
Luc&iacute;a Alonso Garrido (Spain, 1990) is a photographer and cinematographer based in Lisbon, Portugal. Her work explores the intersection between nature, memory, and the feminine experience, creating atmospheric narratives that blur the boundaries between reality and introspection. Rooted in a poetic and sensory-driven approach, her images evoke a sense of stillness and contemplation, creating immersive spaces. Through photography, she investigates the relationship between the society and the natural world, constructing visual meditations on solitude, intimacy, and the passage of time.
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The Huni Kuin refer to their elders as “living libraries” the keepers of the cultural and scientific knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. But this wisdom is increasingly under threat.

The Huni Kuin

Acre 2019   Lucia (46 De 396) Large

<div>Youssef El Hadi is a Beirut-based architect and designer whose work blends cultural storytelling with emotional design. In 2024, he founded Youssef El Hadi Studios, a multidisciplinary practice that transforms architecture, interiors, and furniture into deeply personal experiences rooted in identity and memory. 
The studio’s debut collection, Hymn à Beyrouth, pays homage to the Lebanese capital through sculptural objects, such as the candle holder, tray, vase, ashtray, lamp small, mirror, dining chair, coffee table and side chair, These pieces combine oak, marble, and brass to reflect Beirut’s architectural heritage and resilience. Through his work, Youssef El Hadi bridges tradition and innovation, crafting designs that resonate with both cultural depth and contemporary aesthetics.
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Y.e.h Studio05 Large

Y.e.h Studio06 Large

Through his work, Youssef El Hadi bridges tradition and innovation, crafting designs that resonate with both cultural depth and contemporary aesthetics.

Youssef el hadi studios - Slimi

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