Eriberto. With people. Against displacement.: Misereor

Eriberto Gualinga actually dreams of Hollywood. But the 44-year-old from the Ecuadorian Amazon region's life goal will have to wait. The award-winning documentary filmmaker continues to fight with his camera against the expulsion of indigenous communities from the rainforest.

"The oil companies want to wipe us out," says Eriberto Gualinga. The father of four is sitting in his family's traditional hut under the huge roof made of palm leaves. "My job is to document the struggle of Sarayaku. Who will tell our story if I don't?" In the community of 1,350 people in the Ecuadorian rainforest, which can only be reached by canoe or small aeroplane, the indigenous families still live in harmony with nature. "We don't have any riches, but we lead a dignified life," says Eriberto Gualinga. "In the Kawsak Sacha - the living forest - everything is connected," he explains. "Humans are only a small part of the whole. We have to respect nature, otherwise there is a risk of catastrophe. That's how we understand the world."

Sarayaku can only be reached by canoe or a small propeller plane.

Everything is connected in the living forest.

Director Eriberto Gualinga and cameraman Valerio Santi at work.

There are still untouched forest areas in Sarayaku.

Eriberto Gualinga reads fairy tales to the children in the hammock.

Eriberto Gualinga from Ecuador.

A scenario that became reality for the community in 2002 when disaster struck Sarayaku. The Ecuadorian government had authorised an oil company to exploit the natural resources. The military and labourers invaded the indigenous community's territory.

"I immediately grabbed my camera to record everything," says the self-taught filmmaker. The dramatic scenes resulted in the first film by an indigenous person documenting the struggle against the oil companies. "This film had an enormous impact," says Eriberto Gualinga.

The worldwide outrage helped ensure that the Sarayaku case was brought before a human rights court. And the court ruled in favour of the community. The judgement obliged the state to protect the land and culture of the indigenous communities and to ensure that they have a say.

But the struggle continues. The state needs foreign currency. International commodity companies are penetrating deeper and deeper into the Amazon region. While his siblings fight for their rights at a political level, Gualinga raises awareness among people locally and worldwide with further award-winning documentary films. And he relies on the power of youth. Gualinga teaches film at several universities and gives mobile phone workshops for young people.

"Young people are our future," says Eriberto Gualinga. "Many return after their education to protect the living forest with the help of social media." The next activist is already waiting in the wings to defend the indigenous community's habitat - this time with a mobile phone camera.

We are supporting the reconstruction of a bridge that was destroyed by a flood, promoting the public relations work of Eriberto Gualinga and his community and providing medical care during the Covid crisis.

Who will tell our story if I don't?

Eriberto Gualinga

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