International Documentary Film Festival
March 30 - April 6, 2025
Kaptol Boutique Cinema, Zagreb

The Falling Sky (A Queda do Céu)

Eryk Rocha, Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha

The Falling Sky

In collaboration with Brazil’s indigenous Yanomami people, The Falling Sky follows the Yanomami leader and shaman Davi Kopenawa as he fights to return the world to balance in closely observed rituals and trenchant comments on the ruthless logic of a materialistic outside culture. Illegal logging, gold mining, and the deadly mix of epidemics these intrusions spread threaten the existence of the Yanomami. Based on an acute understanding of geopolitical forces, Davi Kopenawa holds up a mirror to capitalist societies of “the merchandise people” and the unsustainable lifestyle of the so-called “developed countries” that threatens the survival of humanity as a whole. Far beyond the documentary format, the film offers a powerful and unique aesthetic experience, instantly immersing the viewer into the epicenter of the fascinating metaphysical opera of the Yanomami ‘forest-world’.

Brazil, Italy 2024, '110

DIRECTOR: Eryk Rocha, Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha

PRODUCTION: Aruac Filmes

FESTIVALS & AWARDS:

Doclisboa IFF: INATEL Foundation Award – Award for Best Film Dealing with Cultural and Traditional Practices as well as Intangible Cultural Heritage (2024)
Guanajuato IFF: Best International Feature Documentary (2024)
Cannes Film FF (2024)
São Paulo IFF (2024)
Melbourne IFF (2024)
Hawaii IFF (2024)
Ji.hlava IDFF (2024)
Rio de Janeiro IFF (2024)
DOC NYC: Grand Jury Prize (2024)
Biarritz Amerique Latine F (2024)
Dokufest (2024)
DMZ IDFF (2024)

Eryk Rocha

Eryk Rocha

Eryk Rocha is a Brazilian filmmaker (born 1978) known for his documentary and fiction films. A graduate of Cuba's film school, his work has been featured at major festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Telluride, earning numerous awards, including the L’Oeil d’Or at Cannes for Cinema Novo. Notable films include Transunte (Passerby), Jards, Edna, and Breve Miragem de Sol (Burning Night).In 2024, he released A Queda do Céu (The Falling Sky), co-directed with Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha. His films are distributed globally and are part of MoMA's permanent collection.

Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha

Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha

Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha is a Brazilian artist, director, and activist focused on the Amazon. She co-founded Aruac Filmes and created the Margins Project, exploring river catastrophes through various art forms, including acclaimed theater pieces like Altamira 2042. She works extensively in film, directing, producing, and acting, notably in Edna and Anna. She is currently developing a theater piece on the Tapajós River and producing Yanomami-directed short films. In 2024, she released her directorial debut, The Falling Sky, co-directed with Eryk Rocha, based on the work of Davi Kopenawa and Bruce Albert.

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