Doha Film Institute
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A story of a man and a people, and of the fate of one of our planet’s most valuable natural resources – the Amazon rainforest.
‘When Two Worlds Collide’ traces the epic journey of Alberto Pizango, an indigenous leader facing lifetime imprisonment for protecting the Peruvian Amazon. When he fights new legislation that has opened up his rainforest home to destruction, Pizango’s supporters trigger the largest indigenous protests in Peruvian history. Tragically, this ends in the deaths of both natives and police officers. Pizango was held responsible for the deaths despite the fact that he was in no way involved, and forced into exile. He finally returns to fight for his people and their way of life. The film trails the guilty parties on both sides of the battle as despotic decisions by government, political power plays and the tragedy of destroyed families tell a tale of paradise in peril. Ultimately, the audience is left to grapple with the facts and judge the truth for themselves.

Credits

Director
Heidi Brandenburg, Mathew Orzel
Screenwriter
Heidi Brandenburg, Mathew Orzel, Carla Gutierrez, Taira Akbar
Producer
Taira Akbar
Production Company
Yachaywasi Films

About the Director

Heidi Brandenburg
Heidi Brandenburg is a passionate observer of human nature and our environment. She co-founded Yachaywasi Films to explore social and environmental issues and challenge audiences to rethink preconceptions. Her first feature-length film, ‘When Two Worlds Collide’, expands on the signature character-driven style she developed in ‘Don Silva’ and ‘Sonnemann’ (both 2006). Brandenburg graduated with hon
Mathew Orzel
Mathew Orzel is a documentary director and visual artist whose work focuses on the complexities of human relationships. He worked as a sound designer, editor and director in short filmmaking before co-founding Yachaywasi Films with the goal of representing social-justice and environmental issues. Orzel graduated with honours in with a degree in Visual Communication from the University of Wales. ‘W
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