It can be challenging to pull off documentaries that aim to cover intricate topics and narratives in a single feature. History is far broader and more expansive than that, even yet it is frequently necessary to condense possibly decades of background to fit within a restricted runtime. The Territory never loses sight of this history, which is inextricably linked to individuals currently experiencing its effects, which makes it such a remarkable and exceptional work.
The Sundance Film Festival honoured director Alex Pritz for his first film, which is now receiving a National Geographic release at a time when it is still cruelly and profoundly timely. The Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous people are the focus of the novel, who live in precarious circumstances in contemporary Brazil while the Amazon, where they have lived for many centuries, is destroyed. The election of far-right nationalist Jair Bolsonaro, who has weakened protections for the land and the people and still live on it, has made things worse.
This ongoing dilemma serves as the foundation for the documentary, which goes into great detail to show how it poses an existential threat to both the Uru-eu-wau-wau and the rest of the world owing to the catastrophic effects that continued deforestation has on the environment. The beginning text explains how this really started back in the 1980s when the government initiated contact with the Indigenous peoples who had previously been isolated. This event had enormous, but predictable effects that are still being felt decades later as the ruin of what once was continues unabatedly.
Everything is intertwined with the numerous vivid and lush details of what is still left of this peaceful world, visually illustrating what is being lost as deforestation progresses. There is no one is more aware of this than Bitaté, a twenty-year-old who we witness develop into a leader of a resistance movement in an effort to slow the destruction. The documentary turns becomes as much a portrayal of him as it is of the fight he is having to endure despite great odds and the possibility of annihilation.
There are several silent moments where we watch him struggling with this obligation, like an early conversation where he learns from an elder that it is now his role to lead this enormous intergenerational struggle for survival. When Pritz gives the subjects themselves the camera, the documentary is at its most fascinating. While some of this is being done due to pandemic-related worries, it still makes for a compelling and subtly revolutionary late act. As they cooperate to eject those who wish to take the land for themselves, we get to observe them in action on the ground.
The documentary puts us in their hands and demonstrates how they are doing everything they can to safeguard the future of their people, despite the fact that they are unable to be everywhere at once. The fight against colonialism is currently taking place, and Pritz, in a cunning move, makes himself as invisible as he can. He only serves as a witness, telling us the tale of the individuals and exposing the reality of their fragile existence. It is a very evocative and emotional experience that reverently explores this invisible world as it constantly teeters on the brink of total extinction.
When the documentary zooms out, the answer becomes clear. It spends a lot of time with Neidinha, an activist who has dedicated her life to working to defend the imperilled Indigenous people. Pritz quietly reveals how difficult and even hazardous her life is by following her around and observing every action she takes. She will first have to deal with personnel at government organisations who are supposed to be supportive but instead largely ignore her before having to cope with a death threat made against her children. It exposes the work’s ugliness and cruelty to the fullest extent, pummeling you with blows until you begin to wonder how someone could carry on doing this.
Once you grasp it, you understand that the goal is to wear her down. It is hoped that by intimidating her and putting up a fight, she will eventually give up. The entire system is designed to work against her and gives those who are willing to go to any lengths to obtain their own piece of the action power. It establishes a contrast that illustrates how the people themselves will have to find a means to survive if all of her attempts to operate within the system fail in the end. There’s no doubt that this is a life-or-death conflict, as one of the documentary’s subjects is soon killed. This shocks the audience, and Pritz doesn’t back down from it for a second as he shows how the fight continues.
Additionally, quite lengthy interviews with the illegal Amazon invaders themselves are shown to us, serving as a stark reminder of how little they value accountability for their deeds. Some even create collectives, which they believe will increase their credibility, while others simply make forays into the area and open shop. Many of them express how they feel empowered and supported by the current administration, which makes the demolition they later participate in even more awful.
They carry out a variety of tasks, including felling trees with rumbling chainsaws and starting raging flames. It everything revolves around making a way for themselves and the land they feel entitled to. It’s stunning at every turn because of how brazenly the wanton destruction is carried out and how normalised it has become. Pritz lets these scenes linger so that we can grasp the magnitude of what is going on without adding dialogue or additional cutaways.
It turns into an investigative video that shows how extensive the damage is getting and how, like the fires being started, it has the potential to engulf everything if nothing is done to stop it. The contrast between each of these scenes and the expansive landscape shots and the more subdued on-location pictures helps to keep the film’s larger aesthetic vision focused on what is being lost with each passing second.
Much of this is related to how the documentary develops into a collaborative endeavour. The Uru-eu-wau-wau are more than just objects to be stared at and examined. Instead, they work as documentarians with Pritz. They are participating in the narration of their own tale as it develops and documenting not only what is happening but also their tenacity in the face of oppression. All of this is not done to create a false sense of inspiration or to minimise how terrible things are. Instead, it focuses on presenting all the varied aspects of this tale that may be omitted or overlooked in a documentary that did not rely on individuals at its heart to help shape the vision.
They are more involved in this than anybody else, therefore include them in its development is not only appropriate but also necessary in order to produce the most thorough piece of writing. In fact, we should have received more of this partnership than we did. By the time it’s all through, there are no simple solutions to be given because this is not a simple scenario. The Uru-eu-wau-wau are obliged to be resourceful because the odds are stacked against them, and they are doing everything they can to play the hand they are dealt for as long as they can. The Territory sees all of this while remaining steadfast as it is confronts the bleak future ahead, and it is absolutely stunning.
Where to Watch The Territory (2022)?
The Territory (2022) will be premiering on National Geographic on August 19, 2022. We do not recommend illegal streaming and always suggest paying for the content you like to watch.
Is The Territory (2022) available on Amazon Prime?
Amazon prime will not be streaming The Territory (2022). Additionally, several other films are streaming on Prime. Our recommendations are The Voyagers, It’s a Wonderful Life, Notting Hill, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Is The Territory (2022) available on HBO Max?
HBO Max will not be streaming The Territory (2022). However, HBO’s subscribers can enjoy its other popular streams like Euphoria, When Harry Met Sally and Promising Young Woman.
Is The Territory (2022) available on Hulu?
The Territory (2022) is not available on Hulu. The new release line-up additionally includes Pam and Tommy, How I Met Your Father, Abbott Elementary, and Vikings.
Is The Territory (2022) available on Netflix?
The Territory (2022) will not be available to stream on Netflix. However, other brilliant shows like The Power of The Dog, The Social Network, Tick, Tick, Boom, and much more are available.