A camera in hand and a critical eye on reality. It doesn’t sound like much, but that’s exactly what transformed the way young people from the Doce River Basin see their region – and see themselves in it. The videos produced by participants in Terra Jovens, an initiative of the Terra Institute, were more than just the final work of a workshop: they became small pieces of collective memory, denunciation, hope and affection.
Between scenes of the Rio Doce and accounts of environmental disasters, as well as intimate stories about consumption, prejudice and mental health, the films reveal a generation capable of crafting powerful narratives from what they experience on a daily basis. For these young people, audiovisuals have become a bridge between personal experience and social transformation.
“It was fascinating to realize that my ideas could touch other people. Telling the story of my place changed the way I see my city – and how I want others to see it too,” says Joelma Gomes, the author of one of the videos.
Video as an agent of change
The 23 short films produced reveal much more than technical talent. They are a reflection of a territory full of contradictions, but also of creative and resilient people. The themes chosen by the young people speak of their indignations and dreams:
- Environmental impacts in the Doce River basin
- Memories and affections of the territory
- Fake news and disinformation on the web
- The importance of water and springs
- Conscious consumption and social inequalities
Throughout the process, participants learned basic scripting, framing, recording, sound capture and editing techniques, demystifying the idea that it is only possible to make audiovisuals with expensive and inaccessible equipment. More importantly, they learned that their voice has value.
“We always watch other people’s stories. This time it was our story. I never saw myself as the protagonist until I saw my video being shown to everyone,” says Thiago Amorim, who recorded his memories of the Rio Doce and Manhuaçu.
This new crop of stories is now circulating not only on the project’s social networks, but also among schools, families and local communities, sparking conversations and reflections that go beyond the screen.
At Instituto Terra, the message is clear: ecological restoration is also done by restoring narratives – and no one better than the youth themselves to take the lead.