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Reel Guyana debuts new documentary
– “Releasing the Giants: Saving Guyana’s Endangered Arapaimas”
By Shania Williams
Kaieteur News – The highly anticipated documentary “Releasing the Giants: Saving Guyana’s Endangered Arapaimas” has officially released, shedding light on the plight of one of Guyana’s largest fish species. Produced by the local company Reel Guyana, the documentary aims to raise awareness about Arapaimas and tell authentic Guyanese stories.
An aerial view of the rescue mission of an Arapaima
(At right) Filmmaker Alex Arjoon and a native of Apoteri pose during one of the rescue mission
Filmmakers Alexander and Victoria Arjoon collaborated closely with the Apoteri Village Rescue Team in Region Nine, which is made up of dedicated community members, to create this vital environmental film, which was released on September 22 last across all of Reel Guyana’s platforms.
The documentary takes viewers on journey to Apoteri Village, Region 9, which was once a major tourist attraction for those who wanted to get a glimpse of the majestic Arapaimas. The giant fish… are now facing endangerment due to severe drought conditions that have caused local ponds to dry up. In response, the community has come together to relocate the majestic creatures to larger bodies of water for their survival and conservation.
Producer, Alexander Arjoon expressed immense relief at the documentary’s release, stating, “I am just so happy to get it out there, the support has been good, we are so thankful for the rescue team. All of that is such a relief.”
The Arapaima fishes were becoming stranded in dwindling ponds, unable to return to the river, which left them vulnerable to predation and dehydration. Understanding the significance of these fish to their sport fishing culture, the community formed a rescue team to protect this essential natural resource. Knowing such information, the production team saw it as a fascinating story to cover. Alexander emphasized this stating, “This is what a real Guyana story is, it is something that is definitely up our ally and just had to go out there and cover it.”
The documentary not only focuses on the rescue of Arapaimas but also highlights the community’s knowledge and involvement, showcasing the impact on village life. Community members Campbell James and Nigel John feature prominently, sharing their insights throughout the film.
Filming began in early March, with the Reel Guyana team spending a week immersed in Apoteri. After months of editing, the documentary is now complete. Alexander described the process as both challenging and rewarding, saying, “The film making process was pretty intense, but having the Apoteri Rescue team around was very helpful but it was difficult to constantly keep moving and I was trying to cover as much as I could.”
Alexander explained the focus of the documentary stating, “The main goal of this documentary is that the community of Apoteri gets the continuous support… These are the guardians of our natural resources and we want to bring awareness and attention to the things they are doing and support them and get more people involve in both the public and private sector. People need to see the story and understand exactly what it is they are doing and the documentary highlights the lengths and quota to do these things and once people see that they would be more inclined to support.”
The main goal of the documentary is to ensure ongoing support for the Apoteri community. Alexander stated, “These individuals are the guardians of our natural resources, and we want to bring awareness to their efforts. By showcasing their work, we hope to encourage involvement from both the public and private sectors.”
Having been part of the production company for seven years, Alexander views storytelling as his way of contributing to Guyana and enhancing the arts industry. “I want to create a meaningful legacy for Guyana and involve locals. That’s why I founded Reel Guyana, focusing primarily on environmental film production,” he explained.
The documentary is supported by sponsors ExxonMobil and SBM Offshore, with funding directed toward community initiatives for animal conservation and development.
“Releasing the Giants” serves as both a celebration of the community’s commitment to preserving their natural heritage and a call to action for broader support in conservation efforts.
- Alexander Arjoon, Apoteri Village, arapaimas, documentary, Guyana, Reel Guyana, Region 9, Victoria Arjoon
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