Zed launches global distribution of documentary Raoni, Amazonian Warrior

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. 

LC