BirdWatchers

The special series “NATIVe – A Journey into Indigenous Cinema” is devoted to diverse historical, cultural, political, ethnic, artistic and economic aspects of indigenous cinema. In 2014, two feature films will be imbedded in the multifaceted sidebar and so form a bridge between the regions already highlighted in 2013 (Australia, New Zealand, North American and the Arctic) and those to be highlighted in 2015 (Central and South America).

“After NATIVe’s successful first year, I’m delighted the Berlinale is continuing its engagement in the field of indigenous cinema. NATIVe will also be a special series of the Berlinale in the future,” says Dieter Kosslick, Festival Director.

Besides the film programme, NATIVe is organising storytelling slams at the Audi Lounge on Marlene-Dietrich Platz. On two evenings invited guests will tell stories and spontaneous contributions from the audience will also be encouraged. “In indigenous societies worldwide, storytellers have always been revered as guardians of knowledge. Even today, tribal elders, and medicine women and men have the power to influence their listeners with the spoken word. We are extremely pleased to be able to give the tradition of oral storytelling a platform at the Berlinale,” explains curator of NATIVe Maryanne Redpath.

At the Canadian embassy on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, a discussion will be held at which representatives of the film industry may compare notes on the situation and possibilities of indigenous cinema around the world.

Film programme:

BirdWatchers – La terra degli uomini rossi – Brazil / Italy 2008

By Marco Bechis

In their bid to fight eviction and stop the destruction of their homeland in the Brazilian rainforest, the Guarani-Kaiowà people occupy a rich landowner’s plantation. By doing so they hope to reclaim their history and their right to self-determination.

UTU Redux – New Zealand 1983 / 2013

By Geoff Murphy

A glorious, epic Maori Western that follows one warrior’s campaign for revenge. At the end of a bloody conflict between British imperialists and Maori separatists, things are resolved according to the laws of “utu”. Taken simply, this Maori word means ‘revenge’ but it is a complex concept which aims to preserve a balance in relationships between individuals and groups