In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, an epic battle to stop the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam on the Xingu River lasted for decades. Ignoring widespread protests and warnings from scientists, while riding roughshod over the rule of law, the Brazilian government insisted on pushing ahead with Belo Monte, no matter what the cost.
Yet, this ‘victory’ of politicians and dam profiteers has proven illusive as the project has been plagued by cost overruns, a massive corruption scandal and continuing social unrest - as urban dwellers, indigenous groups and fishermen grapple to defend their rights in the midst of broken promises and uncertain futures. Belo Monte: After the Flooding also chronicles how grassroots activists from the Xingu have forged an alliance with indigenous peoples in the neighboring Tapajos basin, to avoid a repetition of the same colossal mistake on another major tributary of the Amazon.
Directed by award-winning environmental documentarian Todd Southgate.
BeloMonteAfterTheFlood.com
amazonwatch.org/work/dams-in-the-amazon
internationalrivers.org
