Māori tribal leader Ned Tapa leads a diverse group on a breathtaking canoe trip down the Whanganui River, the first river in the world to be recognized as a legal entity. Together, they embrace the spirit of the river and explore what it truly takes to save the planet.
Genre: Documentary, Nature
Language: English, Māori, subtitles: English
Length: 1hr. 28 mins.
The Whanganui River in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand) holds a unique place in the world: it is the first river ever recognized by law as a legal entity, a living indivisible being. The Māori fought for this for over 150 years.
Māori river herder Ned Tapa leads a group of friends, family, and activists on a five-day canoe trip down this sacred river. Alongside them are a First Nations Elder from Australia and his daughter, both fighting for their own dying river back home. Also in the boat: an Australian artist and an international film crew, all drawn together by a shared mission - reconnecting with nature and exploring what it means to protect our planet.
The documentary is packed with beautiful meditative images of breathtaking nature. “If you sit and listen, you will hear the land singing,” says Ned Tapa. “All together, intertwined, in harmony, in sync.”
Reviews
"‘I Am the River, the River is Me’ not only captures the journey down the river but also aims to inspire people to take action in facing the challenges brought on by the climate crisis." Filmtotaal
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Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos.
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Please be on time
The screening of the film begins promptly at 19:30 (with no pre-film advertisements), and the cinema hall will open at 19:10. We kindly request that you arrive at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes before the start of the film to ensure a smooth and timely experience for all.
The Studium Generale film program is created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.