‘Yanuni’ follows the extraordinary journey of Juma Xipaia, the first woman to become chief of the Xipaya people, a position traditionally held by men. Her leadership emerges amid escalating threats as she endures six assassination attempts aimed at silencing her voice and halting her fight for Indigenous sovereignty. Rising from these harrowing experiences, Juma transforms into a powerful political figure, gaining national prominence when she is appointed Brazil’s Secretary of Indigenous Rights. Her role symbolizes a beacon of hope and resilience for Indigenous communities grappling with systemic marginalization and encroachment.
Parallel to Juma’s journey, her husband Hugo Loss leads elite Special Forces operations targeting illegal mining activities ravaging the Amazon rainforest. His missions bring to light the complex, often dangerous conflict between environmental defenders and powerful extractive industries driven by profit at the expense of ecological and cultural destruction. The film vividly portrays this dual battle—political and armed—against forces threatening the heart of the Amazon and its peoples.
When Juma discovers she is pregnant, the stakes rise dramatically, infusing the narrative with a profound sense of urgency and vulnerability. Her pregnancy becomes emblematic of hope and continuity, underscoring the personal cost of activism and the generational fight to preserve Indigenous ways of life and the environment.
‘Yanuni’ offers a deeply human account of Juma’s personal and political struggles, making her an inspiring and galvanizing figure whose courage transcends cultural boundaries. The film serves as a stark reminder of the Amazon’s ecological fragility and the very real dangers Indigenous leaders face in their relentless battle against extractive industries fueled by greed and negligence.
Far more than a traditional documentary, ‘Yanuni’ is both a spiritual and political statement. It weaves the intimacy of a couple’s experience—marked by love, fear, and sacrifice—with the raw power of Indigenous resistance and environmental activism. The film’s rich cinematography captures the majestic yet threatened beauty of the Amazon, while its narrative invites audiences to witness firsthand the interconnectedness of Indigenous identity, environmental stewardship, and political struggle.
Its debut as the closing film at the 2025 Tribeca Festival signals its cultural significance and urgent message. ‘Yanuni’ challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about exploitation and injustice, while celebrating the resilience and leadership of Indigenous peoples standing at the frontline of one of the world’s most critical environmental crises. This timely film is a call to action—urging global solidarity in protecting the Amazon and honoring the rights and dignity of its Indigenous guardians.
The movie is more than a documentary—it’s a spiritual and political statement. It combines the intimacy of a couple’s experience with the raw power of Indigenous resistance and environmental activism. Notably, its debut closing the 2025 Tribeca Festival signals its impact and urgency.
