Karuara, People of the RiverKaruara, People of the River

Mariluz Canaquiri says her river is more than just a body of water, it's a living being. Beneath the surface lies a world of spirits led by the Karuara, which means "people of the river" in her Indigenous language. The film's stunning hand painted animations take viewers into this magical universe where spirits lounge in hammocks made of boa constrictors and play sardine poker. Behind their playfulness, the Karuara are metaphysical ecologists who maintain the delicate balance of life in the Amazon's rivers. But Mariluz says the old ways are being forgotten and her people face cultural genocide. While foreign companies earn millions from the Amazon's resources, Indigenous communities lack basic health care, high schools and clean water. Mariluz leads a federation of Kukama women who win a groundbreaking lawsuit demanding the Peruvian government recognize their river as a legal person, with rights. In a world that puts a price tag on nature, this film reminds us of our sacred connection to water. This artistically beautiful film has won 12 awards, including the LASA award of merit in film, the UNESCO Dolomites award at the Bolzano film festival and the WACC-SIGNIS Human Rights award. Mariluz Canaquiri, who is also one of the film's producers, was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for Latin America in 2025.