Join us for a screening of the documentary “Cursed Legacy: From Colonisation to Neoliberalism” followed by a panel discussion to mark the 8th anniversary of the Samarco Dam Disaster – the worst environmental catastrophe in Brazilian history.
On November 5, 2015, the Fundão tailings dam at Samarco’s mine, in Mariana, Minas Gerais, collapsed, spilling over 40 million cubic metres of toxic mining waste. Entire villages were buried, 19 people were killed and 400 miles of the Doce river were polluted, reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
Thousands of people were made homeless, while farms, fish stocks and livelihoods were destroyed. Drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people was contaminated.
Eight years on the human, social and environmental impacts of this tragedy are still being felt and those affected are yet to receive a fair and full compensation.
The Samarco mine was controlled by Brazilian mining giant Vale and Anglo-Australian BHP – the world’s largest mining company in market value.
The documentary “Cursed Legacy: From colonisation to neoliberalism” examines the disastrous toll the mining industry has taken on communities and ecosystems in Brazil. It highlights the effects of mining on rural communities and Indigenous peoples trying to protect their land, water, cultural traditions and way of life against transnational companies which prioritise the interest of shareholders and profit.
After the screening we will be joined by Monica dos Santos and Mauro da Silva – survivors from Bento Rodrigues, a town which was practically wiped off the map, members of the Krenak indigenous people, Leticia Oliveira from Brazil’s Movement of People affected by Dams (MAB) and Professor Octavio Ferraz from the Transnational Law Institute at King’s College. The debate will be chaired by Ali Rocha from Brazil Matters.
Pocket-photo exhibition by Rebeca Binda* This is the first of a series of film screenings and debates on industrial mining and garimpo Brazil Matters and AmazoniAlerta will be organising with Cine Brazil over the coming months.