Majestic shots of the forest and the alternately serene and turbulent river set the scene, while members of the Surinamese Maroon community, who are descended from enslaved Africans who were able to free themselves, shed light on their world. They show us how they live, how they consult their ancestors and forest spirits, and how this is all integrated with the use of modern tools.

In reenacted situations—set deep in the forest, along the river or around a campfire—village elders and younger men and women talk about the history of their people and the spirits of the natural world around them. A broad spectrum of subjects unfolds, including the dramatic escape by one of the ancestors, the struggle against the Dutch colonists, and the binding laws of trees and boulders. Desolate landscapes draft a grim picture of the far-reaching effects of the arrival of mineral-hungry multinationals.

But to start off, members of the Maroon community discuss their feelings about the film. Should they put their trust in the good intentions of the filmmakers?*

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/296401917

Other Cinemas:

This event is part of Other Cinemas July Weekender exploring the power of the archive in helping non-white communities tell and share their own stories. For more screenings and talks happening on that weekend, see here:

tinyurl.com/othercinemas

Other Cinema is a project set up to share the films and stories of black and non-white people in spaces and ways which aren’t alienating to these communities. We focus on films and documentaries by established black and non-white filmmakers and invite them to share their journeys, struggles and successes in the field. Other Cinemas also champions new and emerging black and non-white filmmakers in the hopes of building spaces and connections which are sustaining to these filmmakers who often struggle in a sector which can be hostile to them. Other Cinemas was established by Turab Shah and Arwa Aburawa, two local filmmakers who wanted to make the world of film more accessible Brent's diverse communities.

Supporters:

This event is supported by Brent London Borough of Culture 2020 and Wembley Park.

*IDFA