The final film of the Documentaries course, The One Earthrun by former students Gustavo Benji And Gabriela Amorimwon the award for best short film in the Environment category Marmostra International Film Festivalin Portugal. The work, which tells the story of an indigenous community living in a landfill in Guarulhos, was also selected for seven other festivals.
We spoke to Gustavo, co-director of the project, to understand the creative process behind the film and how the idea was developed.
How did the idea of telling the story of this indigenous family come about?
“Gabriela was taking a course and heard about an indigenous village that lived above a landfill. During our first visit, we had the opportunity to learn about the village and eventually came into contact with three main characters. They have rich and multifaceted histories. The village is still under construction; they have several expansion projects and organize cultural events to raise funds.”
Tell us how the narrative was constructed and what you thought was important to convey in the film.
“The objective of the film was to show the situation of the village and the problem of the government handing over land that was a landfill. We wanted to highlight all the work these people do to make the place more appropriate and welcome more community members who are in São Paulo. We also face the criminal attacks suffered by the village, the perpetrators of which have still not been identified nor the true motivations.”
“On our first visit, we spoke for more than an hour with Alan, who gave us an overview of their story. We recorded this conversation so we can listen to it and discuss it later. From there, we already understood what we wanted to address and went into the interview with some key questions, but the interviews were conducted mostly on “feeling”. With Arlete, for example, we walked around the town while she introduced us to the place and her routine, asking questions along the way. The captures went smoothly, taking advantage of the situations that arose.
But we can say that the documentary really came to life on the editing island. By doing more open interviews and letting ourselves be carried away by the atmosphere, we captured a lot of material on different topics. After a few versions we arrived at the final assembly which was released.”
Film festivals
Furthermore Marmostra International Film Festival (Portugal), the film was also selected for the Take-off filmmaking sessions (England), Young Creative Awards (France), Vianatur Environmental Film Festival (Spain), Power24 International Film Festival (
An indigenous family of the Wassú Cocal people, originally from the state of Alagoas, lives in a village above a landfill that has been closed for more than half a century, in Guarulhos (SP). Beneath the rubble, indigenous people clean the site daily, where they build huts, plant crops and plan to expand their work through cultural projects; which aim to increase support for the causes of the earth’s original peoples.
Interview: Exploring the Creative Journey Behind “The One Earth” Documentary
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Gustavo Benji! Congratulations on the success of “The One Earth” at the Marmostra International Film Festival. It’s an impressive achievement, especially considering the important themes your documentary tackles. To start, could you share how you and Gabriela Amorim came to focus on the story of the indigenous community living in a landfill?
Gustavo Benji: Thank you! We’re thrilled with the reception of our film. The idea initially stemmed from Gabriela’s experiences during a course she was taking, where she learned about an indigenous village that resides above a landfill in Guarulhos. Our first visit was eye-opening; we met three main characters there, each with multifaceted and rich histories. Their stories became the heart of our documentary.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! It sounds like the connection you built with the community was pivotal. Can you tell us how you structured the narrative and what you felt was essential to convey through the film?
Gustavo Benji: Absolutely. The main objective was to shed light on the struggles of this community, particularly regarding the government’s decision to allocate landfill land for habitation. We wanted to bring attention to their efforts to make the area livable and welcoming for others who have relocated to São Paulo. The documentary also highlights the criminal attacks faced by the village, which remain unresolved. The complexities of their challenges are key to understanding their resilience.
Time.news Editor: The tales of resilience and adversity are indeed powerful. You mentioned that your interviews were conducted based on a feeling rather than a strict script. How did this approach influence the storytelling?
Gustavo Benji: It made a significant difference. During our interviews, we allowed ourselves to be led by the conversations. For instance, when we walked through the town with Arlete, she shared her routines and introduced us to the place organically. We captured interactions that felt natural and authentic. It was in the editing phase that we shaped these moments into a cohesive narrative. Being open to the atmosphere allowed us to gather a wealth of material on various topics.
Time.news Editor: That’s a brilliant approach to documentary filmmaking. There’s something distinct about capturing genuine experiences. As you edited the footage, how did you decide what to include in the final cut?
Gustavo Benji: The editing phase was where the documentary truly came alive. We sifted through hours of material, constantly revisiting our central themes. It was about finding the balance between the personal stories and the broader issues affecting the community. After multiple versions and discussions, we created a final assembly that we felt honored the community’s experiences while clearly conveying their challenges.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a labor of love. With your film being showcased at seven festivals and winning an award, what impact do you hope “The One Earth” will have on its audience and the broader conversation around indigenous communities and environmental issues?
Gustavo Benji: Our hope is to raise awareness about the plight of these communities and inspire empathy and advocacy. We want viewers to understand that these stories are not just isolated incidents; they reflect broader systemic issues that need addressing. By sharing their voices, we aim to encourage dialogue and action around environmental justice and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Gustavo! It’s inspiring to see how your documentary not only highlights pressing issues but also brings the human aspect to the forefront. We look forward to seeing how “The One Earth” continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Gustavo Benji: Thank you! I appreciate your interest in our work, and I hope the film encourages more people to engage with these vital topics.