Takumã Kuikuro is an award-winning Brazilian filmmaker, producer and cinematographer. He has been active in the Brazilian film industry for more than two decades and is well known for his work in the Amazon region.
Kuikuro was born in the state of Mato Grosso, in the Xingu Indigenous Reserve, in 1973. His parents are both members of the Xingu people and his upbringing was heavily influenced by their traditions and culture. Kuikuro grew up speaking both Portuguese and the Xingu language, which would later come to influence his work as a filmmaker.
In 1994 he began his studies in filmmaking at the University of Brasilia and was introduced to the concept of indigenous documentary filmmaking. He was immediately captivated by the idea of using film to tell the stories of his people and their culture. After graduating he began to work on a variety of documentaries and short films revolving around themes of indigenous culture and life in the Amazon region.
In 2008 Kuikuro released his first feature-length documentary, ‘Xingu’, which won awards in Brazil and internationally. The film was praised for its sensitive and intimate portrayal of the Xingu people and their culture. It was the first feature film to be made entirely in the Xingu language and it helped to bring attention to the plight of the Xingu people and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
In 2011 Kuikuro released his second feature film, ‘Kumu’, which won Best Documentary at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The film follows the traditional practices of the Xingu people and explores how they are adapting to the pressures of modernity.
Kuikuro is currently working on a new feature-length documentary about the Xingu people and their struggle to protect their land and culture in the face of increasing deforestation and encroachment. He is also writing a book about his work as a filmmaker and the importance of indigenous cultures in the Amazon.
Kuikuro is a committed advocate for the rights of indigenous people and a passionate filmmaker. He uses his art to promote the recognition and protection of indigenous cultures and to give a voice to those who are often unheard. He has won numerous awards for his work and continues to be a powerful voice in the fight to protect the Amazon rainforest and its people.
