Kukràdjà

Red Movie Awards 2025 Winner Reims Excellence Director logo with laurel wreath.
World Film Festival in Cannes winner logo with laurel branches, film crew silhouette, and text 'Best Indigenous / Native Peoples Film.'

HOST A SCREENING OF Kukràdjà

A Journey Through Culture: New Documentary Showcases the Rich Festival Traditions of the Kayapó Indigenous Community.

Amazon Rainforest, December 2024 – A groundbreaking documentary capturing the vibrant festival culture of the Kayapó Indigenous Community has been completed, showing unique traditions and rituals that define this remarkable group. Filmed over 75 days in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest across three villages—Kendjam, A'Ukre, and Pykarãrãkre—the film invites viewers to witness the profound cultural legacy of the Kayapó people.

The documentary, titled “Kukràdjà”, focuses on two significant festivals: the festival for men and the festival for women. Each event celebrates identity, community, and tradition, offering a window into the rich tapestry of Kayapó life. By utilizing a Kayapó film crew, the project ensures authenticity and respect in capturing both the small, intimate moments and the grand spectacles that characterize these festivals.

The primary aim of this documentary is to empower younger generations of the Kayapó community with traditional knowledge. By documenting their elders as they perform rituals and share stories, the film serves as a vital resource for cultural preservation, enabling the youth to connect with their heritage and maintain their cultural identity in an ever-changing world.


“This project is not just about documenting a festival; it’s about strengthening our community’s ties to our past,” said NHAKMO KAYAPÓ, a member of the Kayapó film crew. “We want our children to see the beauty in our traditions and understand the importance of carrying them forward.”

The documentary is now showing world wide and accepting screening requests. The filmmakers believe that by sharing their culture with the world will foster greater understanding and respect for Indigenous peoples and their rights. The Kayapó community invites everyone to celebrate this important piece of their heritage, encouraging Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences to reflect on the significance of cultural preservation.

About the Kayapó Indigenous Community:

The Kayapó are an Indigenous group residing in the Amazon Rainforest, known for their rich cultural heritage and commitment to environmental conservation. Their intricate festivals, vibrant art, and deep connection to the land highlight the importance of preserving Indigenous traditions in the face of modern challenges.

 FAQs

CAST & CREW:

PALMER DURR - DIRECTOR

Mizael Lima Da Silva - Producer

Adrielle Carol Borges Assunção - PRODUCER

Dhayany Gomes Rios - PRODUCER

kendjam chiefs:
beprere Kayapó, Bepkryika Kayapó kàprõt, pykatire kayapó

a’ukre chiefs:
ngrejkamoro kayapó, kaket bepuneiti, krwyt kayapó

pykarãrãkre chiefs:
akaxkra kayapó, ireo kayapó

ngotajte chiefs:
takakto kayapó, totonkre kayapó

Ngranhure Kayapó, Ngrojre Kayapó, Kokokraky Kayapó, Bekwynhraky Kayapó, Ngrwakrai Kayapó, Irengri Kayapó, Bemkati Kayapó - main characters

Airyti Kayapó, Bepkadjoiti Kayapó, Bepkô Kayapó, Djokro Kayapó, Kadjàtnhõro Kayapó, Nhakmo Kayapó - cinematographers

pykôre indigenous association

maria beserra galvão - production caterer

kauam gomes rios alves - photographer & poster design

Kubenhepre kayapó - volunteer

the Pykôre Indigenous Association

The Pykôre Indigenous Association (AIP) is a non-profit organization of the Mẽbêngôkre-Kayapó people, conceived and created in June 2019 by the A'Úkre village in the Kayapó Indigenous Land.

“Pykôre” in the Mẽbêngôkre language (Jê linguistic trunk) refers to a group of Annattos, a shrub native to Kayapó Indigenous Territory, and is very important to Kayapó culture and identity.

Annatto is present in Kayapó body paintings, art, and food. From its seeds the Kayapó extract and create red paint, mixed with babassu oil to make a paste.

Body painting guarantees their protection and thus, the Kayapó have the strength to continue resisting and fighting for ANHÕ PYKA (Kayapó Land), ANHÕ KUKRADJÁ (Kayapó culture) and a MEJKUMREJ (good, beautiful) life.