Set in the middle of the Amazon rainforest in Venezuela, an American man named David Good looks to reunite with his indigenous mother, Yarima, after she returned to her tribe in a Venezuelan Yanomani village when he was a child, leaving the two separated for more than 30 years. The documentary filmtitled ‘Wayumi’, is a cinematic journey of self-discovery across continents and generations about their last chance to bring the whole family together, and it has now found a home of its own.
Grasshopper movie has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Wayumi,” the directorial debut of filmmaker Andrew Balcof, IndieWire can exclusively report. The film will have its world premiere in the US Competition at DOC NYC next month, and Grasshopper will plan a non-theatrical, digital release for the title next year.
Against the backdrop of Amazonian vistas, not to mention bureaucratic obstacles from the Venezuelan government, the story of Good and his mother is described as a “meditation on resilience, cultural survival and the bonds that endure over time and distance.” The film is based on hundreds of hours of footage as Good both explores the jungles of Venezuela and tours his mother around the suburbs of New Jersey. The first trailer for the film, which IndieWire shares below, shows Good’s mother more comfortable naked in her home in the sweltering rainforest than shopping for bras at a department store.
The debut screening of “Wayumi” will follow at DOC NYC featuring a Q&A with director and producer Balcof, producers David Good and Elius Kim, and executive producers Larry Weiss and Johnny Griffith. Peter Getzels is also an executive producer.
Grasshopper movie recently acquired the TIFF Discovery title “Forastera”, as won the FIPRESCI prize for emerging filmmakers for director Lucía Aleñar Iglesias. It also released the films “River of Grass” and “Mare’s Nest” earlier this year.
“Wayumi” premieres at DOC NYC in person at Village East by Angelika on November 15th at 5:30 p.m., followed by a second screening on November 17 at 4 p.m., and it will be available online for festival-goers on November 16.
“We are incredibly excited to be working on ‘Wayumi.’ Andrew Balcof has created something visually stunning and culturally powerful. We are proud to support the film and help share its story with new viewers,” said Lily Spitz, head of non-theatrical and digital distribution with Grasshopper Film, in a statement.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share ‘Wayumi’ with the world through Grasshopper Film,” Balcof added in a statement. “David and Yarima’s story highlights how history and culture enrich our sense of identity, belonging and family. To share this journey with our audience is a profound privilege.”
Grasshopper’s Lily Spitz negotiated the deal with RJ Millard and Katherine Matthews of Obscured Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers.
