Documentary 'Amazomania' Examines Cultural Encounters and Ethical Filmmaking in the Amazon

The documentary film 'Amazomania,' directed by Nathan Grossman and released in 2026, explores the complex interactions between modern society and indigenous life in the Amazon. The film follows Swedish filmmaker Erling Söderström as he revisits the Korubo tribe decades after his initial expedition to document their first contact with outsiders. 'Amazomania' won the FIPRESCI award at the CPH:DOX festival. The documentary is structured in three distinct movements, beginning with archival footage from Söderström's original journey, which aimed to establish peaceful relations with the Korubo after violent conflicts. The film captures the tense historical moment of first contact, where mutual misunderstanding prevailed—the visitors continuously filmed while the Korubo performed rituals, sometimes offering substances that could be harmful. Decades later, Söderström returns to find the Korubo transformed: they now use solar panels, express interest in technologies like Starlink, and engage with money as a central value. They confront Söderström about the use of their images, demand compensation, and occasionally issue threats. The documentary highlights the irreversible changes and ethical dilemmas of filming, questioning how capitalism infiltrates and fractures isolated communities. It notes that the Korubo population has dwindled to about 150 individuals, facing ongoing challenges from digital infrastructure expansion and disease exposure. Despite tensions, Söderström attended the film's premiere and plans to return for another project. 'Amazomania' is considered a significant work in contemporary anthropological cinema, focusing on the broader impact of global systems on cultural identity and human relationships.