On September 24, in collaboration with the Creative Artists Agency Foundation, Amazon Watch hosted an evening with the traditional leaders of the U’wa nation of Colombia who shared their dramatically unfolding “creation story” with select members of the Hollywood community.
Mary Stuart Masterson and Julia Butterfly Hill hosted the event, which was attended by more than 200 people. Project Bandaloop, the aerial dance troupe from Oakland California, rappelled from the face of the CAA building and dazzled the audience with a breathtaking dance performance.
Other artists and movie industry professionals who attended the event included: Cary Elwes, Esai Morales, Jimmy Smits, Mimi Polk Gitlin, John Lovitz, Donna Mills, Dominic Keating, Catherine Oxenburg, Miko Brando, Casper Van Dien, Dominic Monaghan, Robby Romero, Kevin Richardson among others.
Inspired by the presence and vision of the U’wa, Amazon Watch is beginning an ongoing dialogue with artists, musicians, movie executives and technical professionals about the creative ways they can utilize their expertise and unique resources to help defend indigenous peoples and their forest homelands.
The event was sponsored by: Cary Elwes, a member of the Amazon Watch board of directors, Creative Artists Agency, Earth Communications Office, and Artists for a New South Africa. Martin Sheen narrated an 8-minute mini-documentary about Amazon Watch’s work, which premiered at the event. To request a copy of the video, amazon@amazonwatch.org. Also see Creation Stories Photos.
