Savages: We Belong to the Forest

Savages, the new stop-motion animated feature by Swiss author Claude Barras

Savages, the new stop-motion animated feature by Swiss author Claude Barras is coming to Anibar. This deeply moving story embraces a child’s perspective to explore urgent ecological issues and the lasting impact of colonialism.

Set in Borneo, on the edge of the tropical rainforest, the film follows a young girl Kéria, who rescues a baby orangutan from a palm oil plantation. Soon after, her cousin Selaï arrives seeking refuge following violent conflicts between his Indigenous Penan community and logging companies. United by their shared values and love for nature, the two children and the young orangutan embark on a journey to protect the forest from destruction. Along the way, they encounter the breathtaking beauty of the natural world and the power of ancestral wisdom. Kéria reconnects with her heritage and embraces her roots. Moreover, the author incorporates the Penan language into the film, inviting the audience to experience the story beyond words.

Created with handmade puppets, Savages is a sensitive and tactile cinematic experience that confronts one of the most heartbreaking struggles of our time: the conflict between those who enact violence upon other living beings and destroy the Earth for profit, and those who long to coexist with nature, protecting and caring for it. 

This heartfelt film invites audiences of all ages to immerse themselves in the wisdom of the forest and reflect on humanity’s place within the natural world.