Indigenous Chief Fights to Save Brazilian Amazon in ‘Yanuni’ Trailer

The powerful new trailer for upcoming documentary Yanuni has arrived. Directed by Richard Ladkani, the film follows Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia.

The tense, cinematic trailer explores Xipaia’s fight for both Indigenous rights as well as climate justice. Xipaia was appointed Brazil’s first secretary of Indigenous rights and is married to a federal IBAMA agent with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, who leads operations against illegal gold miners. Xipaia herself is at the front lines of the battle to preserve the Amazon, all while facing multiple assassination attempts, as well as impending motherhood.

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the film’s producers. The film initially premiered this past June at Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews. There is no release date attached to the film, though it is already gaining plenty of Oscar buzz.

Ladkani’s next project will be the film Just Me, Jane, a documentary on the late Jane Goodall that is expected to be released in 2026. The legendary activist had been a mentor to Ladkani, and the director spent three years with her working on the film. She had been instrumental in the making of Yanuni, according to a statement from Ladkani.

“Her spirit lives in everything I create, from Yanuni to the legacy film I’m now making in her honor,” he said. “It’s my way of saying thank you — and ensuring her voice continues to inspire generations to come.”