Fire Beneath Her

Director Statement

My first encounter with Emmanuela Shinta in 2017, during a filmmaking trip about orangutans, opened my eyes to the environmental crisis in Indonesia. Shinta, a passionate Dayak activist, became my guide to understanding the devastating 2015 fires, the role of palm oil and peatlands, and the ongoing land grabs affecting her people.

Shinta's memoir recounts the harrowing experience of the 2015 fires, where toxic haze blanketed the sky for months. This ecological disaster was linked to the draining of peatlands for agriculture, a decision made decades earlier that ignored scientific warnings. Peatlands, when drained, become highly flammable and contribute to intense, long-lasting fires.

The expansion of extractive industries like logging, mining, and palm oil has ravaged Central Kalimantan, leading to deforestation, land degradation, and increased fire vulnerability. The 2015 fires, exacerbated by El Nino, caused widespread health problems and environmental damage. Shinta and other young activists used social media to bring attention to this crisis, which had largely been overlooked by international media.

Indonesia, once known as the "Lungs of the World," is now a major polluter due to deforestation and peatland conversion. The demand for palm oil, a ubiquitous ingredient in consumer products, drives this environmental destruction. Indigenous communities, like the Dayaks, bear the brunt of the pollution and have lost their ancestral lands to land grabs.

Shinta's story highlights the urgent need to address the environmental crisis in Indonesia. Supporting indigenous land rights and making informed consumer choices are crucial steps toward protecting our planet's health and ensuring a sustainable future for all.