Patrol, winner of One World Festival in Brussels 2024

Patrol show how beef exports are a pillar of Nicaragua’s economy, but the huge cattle industry is leading to the decimation of vast areas of rainforest. Though much less powerful, groups of local inhabitants are its determined opponents. 

The communities of Rama Indians and the Afro-descendant Kriol together comb the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve in canoes and on foot, looking for illegal settlers and trying to stop them from destroying the rainforest. But the farmers working for rich cattle breeders make no secret of the fact that they have no intention of stopping the tree felling as there is a great demand for Nicaraguan beef, particularly in the USA. People must pick one or the other: money or life? The answer is clear for those for whom the rainforest is home, but the corrupt government and police are ignoring their pleas and refusing to act. And so the locals try to achieve their goal by whatever means necessary.