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CANUTO'S TRANSFORMATION

In a Mbyá-Guarani community on the Brazil-Argentina border, locals reenact the legend of Canuto, a man said to have transformed into a jaguar. Blending myth and reality, the documentary explores indigenous storytelling, collective memory, and the power of cinema.

THE FILMMAKERS

Ariel Kuaray Ortega
A pioneer indigenous filmmaker and Mbyá-Guarani leadership behind celebrated films such as “Two villages one path” (2008) and "Nhanderú’s Bicycles” (2010) alongside other Guarani indigenous filmmakers, through Vídeo has Aldeias (“Video in the Villages”) workshops, and also "Guarani Exile” (2011) and "Tava - the house of stone (2012)" directed alongside Ernesto de Carvalho, Patrícia Yxapy Ferreira and Vincent Carelli. Ariel is a member of the Mbyá-Guarani Cinema Collective (Brazil) and the Ara Pyau Cinema Collective (Argentina). Also directed the short film “Our spirits keep coming” (2021) with Bruno Huyer and Patrícia Yxapy Ferreira.

Ernesto de Carvalho
A Brazilian filmmaker, photographer and editor, with an Anthropology PhD from New York University, has collaborated with Mbyá-Guarani communities on films for over 15 years through the Vídeo nas Aldeias project. Co-director and photographer of the celebrated feature documentary “Martírio” (2016), winner of many international prizes. Ran workshops that produced several indigenous films such as *“I've already become an image” (2008). Directed alongside Ariel Ortega, Patricia Yxapy Ferreira and Vincent Carelli the films “Guarani Exile” (2011) and "Tava - the house of stone” (2012). Also directed the acclaimed short film “It’s never nighttime in the map” (2016).

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

Best Film – Outstanding Artistic Contribution – International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Netherlands
Best Film – Jean Rouch International Film Festival, France
Best Film – West Lake International Documentary Festival, China
Best Film – Cali International Film Festival, Colombia
Best Film; Audience Award – Festival de Cine de General Pico, Argentina
Best Film - PerSo – Perugia Social Film Festival, Italy
Special Mention – Tempo Documentary Festival, Italy
Best Direction; Best Photography; Best Script - Brasília Film Festival, Brazil
Best Film – Latin American Film Festival, France
Honorable Mention – Ecofalante Environmental Film Festival, Brazil
Docs Buenos Aires (as Closing Film), Argentina
Tiradentes Film Festival (as Closing Film), Brazil
Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Film Festival
RAI Film Festival, United Kingdom

CANUTO'S TRANSFORMATION

Catalog # EPF16099 ● ISBN: 978-1-963201-39-0 ● UPC: 6-82086-16099-3 ● NTSC

130 Minutes ● Copyright 2023 ● Mbyá-Guarani, Spanish, Portuguese, English Subtitles

For purchase orders, to book screenings and for other inquiries, please contact:
Larry Rattner - larry@epfmedia.com

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