Children of the Amazon / Trading Bows and Arrows for Laptops
Journey with Brazilian filmmaker Denise Zmekhol to the heart of the Amazon rainforest in search of the indigenous children she photographed fifteen years ago. Children of the Amazon invites you to see through the eyes of these inspiring, remarkably resilient people whose lives are transformed by a road carved through their forest home by an outside world. From Chief Amir Surui’s embattled efforts to stop illegal loggers to the assassination of legendary rubber tapper Chico Mendes, this poetic and visually stunning film engages our senses and sympathies as global issues take on a profound human perspective.
Also in 2008 Zmekhol produced and directed the short documentary Trading Bows and Arrows for Laptops with Google Earth Outreach as Google trained Indigenous Amazonian tribes to use Google Earth. The film documents the partnership between Google and the indigenous tribes to create maps that record cultural traditions and monitor the forest to prevent illegal logging.
Directors
Denise Zmekhol
Working on social issue documentaries as well as in commercial arenas, Zmekhol combines a public affairs sensibility with a commercial director’s visual acumen. A Sao Paulo native, Zmekhol co-produce and co-direct Digital Journey, an Emmy award winning public television series. Exploring emerging technologies in their social, environmental and cultural contexts. In addition to her film work, she photographed extensively, producing the photo exhibition Children of the Amazon. In 2008, Zmekhol completed the film project Children of Amazon. Zmekhol also produces and directs films on commission including directing the Green21 Series: A Multiplatform Media Initiative that explores innovative and sustainable solutions for environmental protection.