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The Mariana dam collapse in 2015 was a devastating environmental crisis in Brazil, resulting in the displacement of many residents in the Bento Rodrigues district. A chilling mobile phone video captures the massive waves of muddy water engulfing homes, showcasing the immense scale and devastation of the disaster. The aftermath not only caused physical damage, but also psychological trauma.
Aline Lata and Helena Wolfenson’s film follows local Marlon as he shares his special connection to his ancestral home, now a ruined site covered in sediment. The film also showcases the stunning landscape of Bento Rodrigues. Unfortunately, the abundance of natural resources in this area has brought about a curse. The dam, managed by Samarco (a mining company owned by Vale and BHP Billiton), was previously deemed safe for residents. While showing the film crew his cherished childhood spots, Marlon attributes the collapse to the excessive extraction of iron ore, as explosions can be heard in the background like a ticking clock counting down to another disaster. Tragically, this prophecy came true in 2019 when the Brumadinho dam failure claimed the lives of almost 300 people.
One potential issue is that the broader political and legislative circumstances surrounding the mining of valuable minerals in Brazil are not thoroughly examined. However, the emotional impact is significant, particularly in the concluding scene. Defying the surveillance of Samarco and the local police, former residents of Bento Rodrigues come back to the area on weekends, holding gatherings with barbecues and protest songs. Even though the flood may have taken their belongings, their resilience remains strong.
Source: theguardian.com
