Krahô Indigenous Directors and Actors Protest Land Rights At Cannes

The red carpet at Cannes’ this Wednesday was met with a group of Krahô Indigenous directors and actors protesting for ownership of land rights in Brazil. The event was led by representatives of The Buriti Flower, a film showing at Cannes directed by Portugal’s João Salaviza and Renée Nader Messora. 

The group were all wearing traditional dress, holding a big banner with the slogan ““Não ao Marco Temporal: The Future of Indigenous Lands in Brazil is Under Threat”. The group consisted of Francisco Hyjno Krahô, Debora Sodre, Luzia Cruwakwyj Krahô, and Henrique Ihjac Krahô. 

Main actor, Francisco Hyjno Krahô, can be seen holding a Maraca. Krahô decribed the symbolism of the Maraca, which represents the world and the beads inside are the people of the world. Krahô also explained how important this demonstration is to him, and that he even left his remote village to attend this premiere.

The protest was to show awareness and step up against the laws restricting constitutional rights of the indigenous people who lived on the lands long before travelers. They lost rights to their land on October 5, 1988 and were unable to match the military forces fighting against them.

The film, The Buriti Flower, sheds light on the story. It shows the Krahô community faceing the changes of the modern world as well as their attempts at stopping invasions on their land. The film was shot in Krahôlandia Indigenous Land for over a year. 

Director Renée Nader Messora explains the importance of the film as well as her connection with its people:

“We both have a very, very long relationship with the Krahô people. This is not just a film project: We really have a connection with the community. We are spending long periods of time with them and will continue to develop something.”