The Rise of the Eco-Warriors.

About the Film

Cathy Henkel – Director

Without forests, life on this planet cannot exist. Borneo has the oldest and one of the most bio-diverse rain forests in the world, yet over the last 20 years, these forests have been leveled at a rate unparalleled in human history. Many species are being threatened by this destruction, including the endangered orangutan. So what is the solution?

Rise of the Eco-Warriors follows the adventures of a group of young ‘Eco-Warriors’ who spend 100 days in the jungle working with acclaimed scientist Dr Willie Smits, the local Dayak people and the DeforestACTION project. They confront the relentless deforestation and its impact on the local Dayak communities and orangutans. They bring technological devices, a massive schools network and an innovative online monitoring system to help the local communities in their battle against the palm oil companies. However the task is enormous and the odds are against them.

They set up satellite technology to monitor the existing forest, confront illegal logging, replant an entire forest eco-system, rescue and care for orangutans and release them back into the wild.

The action agents document their activities, build online support groups and communicate with millions around the globe, via social media, using text, photographs, blogs, mobile apps and satellite mapping technology.

They endure intense personal challenges as they confront corruption and inertia, as well as their own lack of experience and resources. Two baby orangutan orphans, Jojo and Juvi, are entrusted in their care, and they embark on a plan to set them free and create a safe and permanent haven for them in the threatened forests. They come to understand and respect the traditions of the local Dayak people and discover their true strength lies in trusting each other and persevering in the face of adversity. With their growing band of online supporters, they learn what it means to be an eco-warrior in a troubled world desperately in need of hope and new solutions.

They undertake many challenges and adventures, and risk their own well-being and comfort in order to save the forests and orangutans.

Rise of the Eco-Warriors is directed by Australian Cathy Henkel (The Burning Season, The Man who Stole my Mother’s Face) and shot by acclaimed Indonesian cinematographer Ezther Etek (Position Among the Stars, The Burning Season).

If you’d like to be a part of Rise of the Eco-Warriors, you can help us by participating in our crowd funding initiative. All donations, large or small, will go a long way towards helping make Rise of the Eco-Warriors a reality.

Rise of the Eco-Warriors will be produced by Virgo Productions, an award winning production company based in Queensland, Australia.

For more detailed information on this groundbreaking project and its goals, you can click here to download our executive summary.

The plan to kill orangutans http://t.co/LDMBtPsKwV

About the Film

Virgo Productions

@AnActionMovie