Munduruku

The Fight to Save the Heart of the Amazon

Journey deep into the heart of the Amazon to the world of the Munduruku Indigenous People which is under threat from planned government construction initiatives.

Released : 2017

Runtime : 14 minutes

Format : 360 VR Video

Munduruku: The Fight to Defend the Heart of the Amazon is an extraordinary experience where users are transported inside one of the Amazon’s most iconic indigenous communities, the Munduruku, at one of the most important moments in their ancient history. The Munduruku are under threat, with the government planning on building a series of dams on the Tapajos River which might destroy their homeland forever.

Considered as the next step in VR storytelling, Munduruku combines cutting edge virtual reality filmmaking and multi-sensory storytelling to fully immerse the viewer with the story that is played out within an immersive ‘pod’, designed by multi-sensory storytelling production company The Feelies, which provides users with a truly empathic, unparalleled multi-sensory virtual reality experience.

Alchemy used the latest 360 video and binaural sound technology to create the audio and visual elements of the project. Directing the action more like a theatrical production than a standard film, the members of the tribe were encouraged to make full use of the 360 space provided to carry out their day to day activities through gentle stage direction and clever placement of the camera. To create the multi-sensory elements The Feelies collected data by performing a sensory mapping of the local area – including taking a perfumer to take in the scents of the forest.  From this they created six award-winning bespoke perfumes, an infrasonic frequency track, humid atmospheres and a narrative of heat and wind.

Recent awards

FoST

People Choice Award

2017

SheffDocFest

Audience Award: Alternate Realities

2017

Raindance

Best Social Impact VR Experience

2017

Press

A uniquely all-encompassing viewing experience

The Fountain

The only issue was that the tears made my glasses steam up… Munduruku: The Fight to Defent the Heart of the Amazon is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before

Civil Society Futures

Munduruku is enhanced by an enormous sense of pageantry and attention to detail

Sight and Sound, BFI

Credits

VR DIRECTOR

James Manisty

MUTISENSORY DIRECTOR

Grace Boyle

PRODUCER

Pete Speller

EDITOR

Richard Lester

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

James Aldred

LINE PRODUCER

Tom Evans

JUNIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jessica Cook

PRODUCTION SECRETARY

Jennie Baker

SOUND DESIGN

Gabriella Scanio

POST PRODUCTION TEAM

Julia Zahner
Matthew Arneil
Matthew Fisketjon

VISUAL EFFECTS BY ZOO

Thérèsa Zambra
Mike Woodruff
Matt Baker-Jones

ARCHIVE

Greenpeace
Framepool

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Cacique Juarez saw Munduruku & the Muduruku People
Asensio Rodriguez
John Sauven
Fabio Nascimento
Natalia Murgel
Renato Guimaraes
Agnado Almedia
Paul Hamilton
Saulo Jamariqueli
Crossmodalism
Sarah McCartney
Dr Marianna Obrist
Clive Kersey
James Williams
Snooks
SUBPAC
Zack London
Ben Tildesley
Denis Schnegg
Felicity Hickson
Julia Laird
Barnaby Laws
Sam Labs
PCE Instruments
Dr Keith Watkinson FIMMM CPhys
Dr Katayune Presland
Luke Iseman
Dave Marshall-George DipM FlnstSMM
Lyn Cowley
Shuffle

Atlantic Productions is one of the world’s leading factual production companies whose TV and theatrical films have been seen in over 150 countries.

Emmy-award winning Zoo are leaders in 4k VFX production and have a wealth of experience in stereoscopic production.

The multi award-winning Colossus Productions produce high-end 3D films for an international audience.