CONTEXT

In Amazonia, an ecological and human disaster is taking place on a small piece of European territory, at the border between Surinam and French Guiana.

Despite the recommendations of experts and the opinions of local populations, the Amazonian Park of Guyana was created by decree on February 27th, 2007. It meant that the former “forbidden” and reserved territory for the native indians was to be abandoned by France. The buffer zone of the Park is entirely protected but the lands where 1200 Wayana Indians are living are not. The Wayanas Indians clearly demonstrated their opposition to the Park project, expressing their will to integrate the buffer zone towards protecting their habitats from the environmental, sanitary and social damages caused by gold exploitation.

With the creation of this Park, the access of the Amerindian territory is no longer forbidden to foreigners. For the first time their ancestral lands are opened to others, to the development of economic and tourist activities. But the worst is probably the madness of gold that has set fire to the region for some years. The illegal gold-seekers and the gold-bearing companies officially prospect and invade the land of the Wayanas. Moreover, the mercury which is used to mix the gold flakes is directly threatening the health of Indian children.

In their remote and enclosed village, potable water and electric supplies are not guaranteed. Everywhere around them gold exploitation booms. The water of the river has become turbid and contaminated by the mercury which is thrown away by gold seekers. Fish are becoming rarer. For this reason the Wayanas have decided to collaborate in this film, to make their voices heard around the world. This is the voice of a rainforest that is threatened.

Beyond the local story, «Dirty Paradise» is the example of the beginning of an ecological fight led by Amerindians for their survival against the gold seekers who are invading their territory. A fable on the difficult cohabitation of two conflicting worlds. This documentary shows the point of view of the victims in their hostile context.