Page 6 - Demo

6SUMMARY OF THE FILM%u201cTHE JAGUAR%u2019S APPRENTICE%u201d is a feature documentary set in Chiribiquete National Park, Amazonia, Colombia. It follows the path of a young Carijona (a.k.a. the Karijona) boy chosen to become his tribe%u2019s new shamanic apprentice. Historically, the Carijona have been referred to at %u201cThe Jaguar People%u201d.Indigenous human settlement in the area goes back thousands of years. Each generation has painted their history on the sacred rocks of Chiribiquete%u2019s iconic tepui. Relatively little is known about these ancient paintings and this film uses the latest analytic techniques to further human knowledge on their meaning.Ten of thousands years ago, Chiribiquete%u2019s polished and painted walls show us the Carijona%u2019s struggle with fierce and giant monsters from the Ice Age. Today, a new %u201cGen-Z shaman%u201d has a whole new host of issues to tackle. Unpredictable climate sweeps across the land and sea and overpopulation disrupts the space and time needed for nature to mend and evolve. Increasing encroachment of %u201cChiribiquete%u2019s Boundary Zone%u201d by deforestation, mining and poaching, casts a dark shadow over the people and animals who live here. But it is with resilience that the Carijona push back. Every Carijona individual accepts it is their purpose to guard and protect their ancestral lands. Their way of life is guided by the responsibility placed upon them by their ancestral spirits. The Carijona read nature%u2019s changes and animal sightings as messages from the deities, with whom they contact using sacred brews.As %u201cThe Jaguar%u2019s Apprentice%u201d grows and learns, he awakens to ancestral insight shared by his mentor, the Chief Shaman. He undergoes trials of both mind and body to access ancient knowledge, to reconnect with nature and to share this inspiration with others.The junior shaman works with peers within his community, and those from the many other indigenous communities living in this area. Together and united, Gen-Z add their voices to the unity of all people who recognise it%u2019s humans%u2019 responsibility to listen to, learn from and guard nature. %u201cThe Jaguar Apprentice%u2019s%u201d journey from child to adult is a metamorphosis. From naivety to wisdom. This film builds a portrait of a way of life which is wholly sustainable and has stood the test of time.