About the Documentary: Nature in rivers that surround us, on which we depend, and the urban environment of economic, political and social life are much more interdependent than we can comprehend. Contrary to nature documentaries that focus on the wild, the exotic and the distant, “Urban Rivers” (“Rios Urbanos”) highlights the interconnection between these two worlds and the extensive biodiversity so close to urban centers, which in the eyes of many would only be present in faraway places.

From the firmness of concrete sidewalks and highways, we are little aware that all life on earth evolved from life under water and that even today all life on Earth depends directly on aquatic life: from the water we use in our daily lives, the fish that it is the staple food for millions of families, going through the most varied economic activities such as fishing, scientific study, tourism, sports and photography, to the algae that are responsible for the production of most of the oxygen we breath. Despite its fundamental role in the maintenance of life on Earth, the ocean is increasingly suffering from the impacts caused by human beings, through pollution that constantly degrades these ecosystems, the excessive exploitation of natural resources (whether they are living or not), in addition to the introduction of non-native species and climate change.

The documentary registers that we need to see our rivers as an extension of the ocean and as a pillar that allows life on Earth. Therefore, the main objective of the film “Urban Rivers” (“Rios Urbanos”) is to mobilize the viewer to become an agent of change for sustainability.

More information: analyra@oceanpact.com; saenandoah.dutra@undp.org; ricardogomesfoto@gmail.com