We Are Guardians

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1:28

We Are Guardians

2025

1h 22m

Documentary

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12 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

We Are Guardians follows Indigenous forest guardian Marçal Guajajara and activist Puyr Tembé as they fight to protect their territories from deforestation, an illegal logger who has no choice but to cut the forest down, and a large landowner at the mercy of thousands of invaders and extractive industry. Through intimate, character focused storytelling, the film brings the issues to the forefront -- from the science of the Amazon Rainforest and its pivotal role in our global climate stability to the economic drivers of deforestation. The film weaves together politics, history, economics, science, and consciousness, providing an in-depth exploration of this incredibly complex and critical situation -- the origins and the impact of which ripple out far beyond the boundaries of the Amazon itself.

David Ehrlich

IndieWire

07/11/2025

B-

The film awes at the work that Brazil’s Indigenous people have been doing on that front for centuries, and at the same time encourages the rest of us to join in their fight, because it’s our fight too.

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Christy Lemire

RogerEbert.com

06/07/2025

3/4

Rather than taking a strong stance in one direction or another, “We Are Guardians” aims to sympathize with everyone involved, or at least to enlighten us as to the complexity of their motivations.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

06/07/2025

It's done in a way that goes deeper into all the different threads that are involved in the deforestation of the Amazon.

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Alise Chaffins

MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack)

Apr 27

4/5

We Are Guardians is a powerful story about one group that is making the choice to do something to save not just their home, but the planet, which includes the home of everyone.

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Christie Cronan

Common Sense Media

Apr 21

4/5

Timely and convincing, this documentary urges collective responsibility and action to save the Amazon rainforest with a creative new approach.

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Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan)

Women Write About Comics

Aug 21

A tight cinematic experience, and I do think I missed out by not seeing it on the big screen. The gorgeous Amazon and the wildlife it houses would have been a sight in the theatre. And while the visuals are beautiful, they are also powerful.

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Michael Shane B

@KVD1969 May 5

In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, We Are Guardians (2025) follows the indigenous Tembé people as they utilize modern technology and traditional wisdom to defend their ancestral lands from illegal logging and land grabbing. The film captures the high-stakes journey of Marçal Guajajara and his forest guardians who risk their lives patrolling the dense rainforest to confront encroachers and protect the "lungs of the planet." Amidst a backdrop of rising political tension and environmental degradation, the documentary highlights the personal sacrifices made by those on the front lines of the climate crisis. It weaves together the intimate stories of indigenous leaders with the global implications of the Amazon's survival, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human rights and ecological preservation. Ultimately, the 82-minute film serves as a powerful call to action, showcasing the resilience of a community fighting to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

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Zak K

@RT78073161 Jul 24

Powerful and engaging!!

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Alex P

@RT79121253 Jul 20

A stunning film with inspiring characters - highly recommend!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 06/07/2025

Success in 1 hour and 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Edivan Guajajara

Director

Chelsea Greene

Director

Rob Grobman

Director

Marçal Guajajara

Self

Puyr Tembé

Self

Fisher Stevens

Producer

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We Are Guardians: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

We Are Guardians follows Indigenous forest guardian Marçal Guajajara and activist Puyr Tembé as they fight to protect their territories from deforestation, an illegal logger who has no choice but to cut the forest down, and a large landowner at the mercy of thousands of invaders and extractive industry. Through intimate, character focused storytelling, the film brings the issues to the forefront -- from the science of the Amazon Rainforest and its pivotal role in our global climate stability to the economic drivers of deforestation. The film weaves together politics, history, economics, science, and consciousness, providing an in-depth exploration of this incredibly complex and critical situation -- the origins and the impact of which ripple out far beyond the boundaries of the Amazon itself.

Director: Edivan Guajajara, Chelsea Greene, Rob Grobman
Producer: Fisher Stevens, Maura Anderson, Zak Kilberg, Chelsea Greene
Distributor: Area23a
Production Co: Appian Way
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 22, 2026
Runtime: 1h 22m