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Zag, the araucaria, is a funny-looking tree. But behind its whimsical look lies the heart and purpose of an ambitious mission led by a Xokleng family from Southern Brasil.
Zágbág and Isabela are on a journey to save the endangered Araucaria tree, once abundant in their land and vital for sustenance and spiritual connection, now stands as a symbol of what could be lost forever. Together with Yoko, a determined elder standing her ground on contested land, they fight for the survival of their culture, facing relentless deforestation and conflicts over land ownership. But the deepest challenge they face is embracing a mission that may not bear fruit in their own lifetimes.
The film searches for this answer throughout, beginning with self-identity but evolving into a multi-layered narrative that encompasses past and future generations, as well as the collective identity of an entire community. It traces the struggle between preserving tradition and confronting modern pressures, showing the unwavering spirit of a people determined to reclaim their place in the world.
Interwoven with love and spiritual connection, this documentary is an urgent call to listen to those who live in a sacred relationship with the natural world. The Xokleng people have decided to show us the way. This is a story of a tree and the deep roots of a community.
- Year2024
- Runtime16 minutes
- Awards- Filmambiente International Film Festival - All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) - New York Latino Film Festival - Dawson City International Short Film Festival
- NoteClara Wetzel is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work spans more than 60 countries. Her films are grounded in close collaborations with Indigenous, local, and remote communities, reflecting her deep commitment to telling stories alongside the people at the heart of both global and local change. A graduate of the National Film School of Buenos Aires, Clara has directed a wide range of projects, including documentaries, narrative shorts, educational, and ethnographic films. Her work explores the intersections of environmental justice, food security, health, and human rights through a lens that is both poetic and politically engaged. With each project, she brings a distinct visual sensitivity and a co-creative approach, prioritizing trust, proximity, and respect. Clara’s portfolio includes over 50 short films for UN agencies focused on social impact, as well as directing culinary documentaries featuring renowned chefs such as Bruno Goussault. She edited the award-winning series "This is Not the Truth" and won Best Documentary for her film "A Smallholder’s Voice" which has been internationally acclaimed. Her storytelling has taken her from the mountains of Sudan to the forests of South America and even to Antarctica. Her films have received awards at international festivals and have been showcased at major global events, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her credits also include contributions to Ron Howard’s "We Feed People". Whether in icy frontiers or tropical highlands, her storytelling is driven by a deep sense of connection and boundless curiosity. For Clara, filmmaking is both a creative discipline and a personal journey—a way to bridge lived experiences across cultures while continuously evolving her practice.
- Social Media
- DirectorClara Wetzel
- ProducerRiham Ezzaldeen
- FilmmakerMariela Muchico
- EditorLuciano Sosa
- ComposerAlejandro Staro
Zag, the araucaria, is a funny-looking tree. But behind its whimsical look lies the heart and purpose of an ambitious mission led by a Xokleng family from Southern Brasil.
Zágbág and Isabela are on a journey to save the endangered Araucaria tree, once abundant in their land and vital for sustenance and spiritual connection, now stands as a symbol of what could be lost forever. Together with Yoko, a determined elder standing her ground on contested land, they fight for the survival of their culture, facing relentless deforestation and conflicts over land ownership. But the deepest challenge they face is embracing a mission that may not bear fruit in their own lifetimes.
The film searches for this answer throughout, beginning with self-identity but evolving into a multi-layered narrative that encompasses past and future generations, as well as the collective identity of an entire community. It traces the struggle between preserving tradition and confronting modern pressures, showing the unwavering spirit of a people determined to reclaim their place in the world.
Interwoven with love and spiritual connection, this documentary is an urgent call to listen to those who live in a sacred relationship with the natural world. The Xokleng people have decided to show us the way. This is a story of a tree and the deep roots of a community.
- Year2024
- Runtime16 minutes
- Awards- Filmambiente International Film Festival - All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) - New York Latino Film Festival - Dawson City International Short Film Festival
- NoteClara Wetzel is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work spans more than 60 countries. Her films are grounded in close collaborations with Indigenous, local, and remote communities, reflecting her deep commitment to telling stories alongside the people at the heart of both global and local change. A graduate of the National Film School of Buenos Aires, Clara has directed a wide range of projects, including documentaries, narrative shorts, educational, and ethnographic films. Her work explores the intersections of environmental justice, food security, health, and human rights through a lens that is both poetic and politically engaged. With each project, she brings a distinct visual sensitivity and a co-creative approach, prioritizing trust, proximity, and respect. Clara’s portfolio includes over 50 short films for UN agencies focused on social impact, as well as directing culinary documentaries featuring renowned chefs such as Bruno Goussault. She edited the award-winning series "This is Not the Truth" and won Best Documentary for her film "A Smallholder’s Voice" which has been internationally acclaimed. Her storytelling has taken her from the mountains of Sudan to the forests of South America and even to Antarctica. Her films have received awards at international festivals and have been showcased at major global events, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her credits also include contributions to Ron Howard’s "We Feed People". Whether in icy frontiers or tropical highlands, her storytelling is driven by a deep sense of connection and boundless curiosity. For Clara, filmmaking is both a creative discipline and a personal journey—a way to bridge lived experiences across cultures while continuously evolving her practice.
- Social Media
- DirectorClara Wetzel
- ProducerRiham Ezzaldeen
- FilmmakerMariela Muchico
- EditorLuciano Sosa
- ComposerAlejandro Staro