Empate

Directed by Sérgio de Carvalho

The rubber tapper movement in the 1970s and 1980s, at the Brazilian state of Acre. What is a tie? “It’s the way we found to prevent deforestation. We stand in front of the farm workers and gunmen with our families, women, children and elderly and ask them not to cut down the forest and leave. They are workers too, and we explain them that their future is in jeopardy as well. This heartfelt speech always works. Simple, defenseless, unaware workers are the ones who cut down the forest.” (Chico Mendes. Jornal do Brasil. 13 days before he was murdered.)