‘APICHATPONG WEERASETHAKUL:
FILMING IN THE AMAZON’:
PRACTICAL WORKSHOP AT
THE INKATERRA FIELD STATION

A series of events took place on June 15 at the PUCP Cultural Center in Lima, celebrating the work of Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who is currently leading a practical workshop at Inkaterra Guides Field Station with 50 young directors from 27 different countries.

The press conference was led by Palme d’Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul; Estephania Bonnett, director of Playlab Films; Sorayut Chasombat, Ambassador of Thailand in Peru; Carmen Julia García, assistant to the Executive President of PromPeru; and José Koechlin, Inkaterra founder and chairman.

“Under the guidance of a master of contemporary cinema, the emerging directors will explore and boost their creativity, each producing a short film, under a wonderful methodology conceived by Abbas Kiarostami, adapted by Werner Herzog, and now revisited by Apichatpong,” stated Estephania Bonnett.

Additionally, Apichatpong Weerasethakul revealed the workshop’s main theme, a framework for inspiration to all participants during 12 days in Madre de Dios, the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. “I want to name this workshop A Conversation… I want us to establish a dialogue with people, with the sun, with nature, with ourselves. I always question authorities and when you call someone a teacher, you give certain authority. I don’t want to be in that position: I am not a teacher, I see this workshop as an opportunity to learn, so we are all teachers and we are all here to learn.”

José Koechlin acknowledged that the roots of Inkaterra are found in cinema. Koechlin coproduced Werner Herzog’s cult classics, Aguirre, The Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo, which are celebrating their 50th and 40th anniversaries this year, respectively. Shot in the Peruvian Amazon, these films helped showcase the landscapes throughout the world. “Now, with this celebration of film led by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, once again Peru can be perceived as an extraordinary location for this art,” said Koechlin.

Prior to the Madre de Dios workshop, Apichatpong gave a masterclass at the PUCP Cultural Center’s auditorium, where he spoke about the influence of memory and dreams in his creative journey. He provided a fascinating insight into his approach before the audience enjoyed the national premiere of Memoria, Apichatpong’s latest film, shot in Colombia and starring Oscar winner Tilda Swinton. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, the film is an experience to be enjoyed in a movie theater due to its unique sound design and the fact that it was filmed in 35mm.

After the special screening of Memoria, the audience had an opportunity to attend a Q&A with the director. For Apichatpong, his new film reflects the acceptance of loss, collective memory on violence, and the realm of intimacy and dreams.

INKATERRA ASOCIACIÓN CELEBRATED
WORLD OCEANS DAY

On June 8th, World Oceans Day, Inkaterra Asociación called for action to develop partnerships between academia, the private sector, Peruvian authorities, and the local populations, to restore and conserve the natural richness of our seas. Committed to the conservation of the Peruvian Tropical Sea, Inkaterra Asociación primarily focuses on the legendary Cabo Blanco fishing cove. This region, where two currents of different temperatures meet –Humboldt and El Niño–, is home to over 70% of Peru’s diverse marine life. Exactly 10 years ago, a proposal for the declaration of a marine reserve of 600,000 hectares of ocean was presented to the Ministry of the Environment. This proposal was reviewed and supported by the University of Miami; the National Geographic marine department; the International Game Fish Association (IGFA); the University of Alicante (Spain); the artisanal fishermen's unions from Puerto Pizarro (Tumbes) to Lobitos (Piura).

To this day, authorities have not approved the project, all the while the sea is under threat by illegal fishing and negligent behavior. In response, Inkaterra Asociación has partnered with the Artisanal Fishermen's Union of Cabo Blanco and Agromar on an innovative marine conservation strategy through the sustainable production of rainbow-lipped pearl oysters. A concession of 100 hectares was designated to the development of aquaculture projects. Inkaterra Asociación is working to advance the restoration of marine biodiversity and enhance artisanal fishing and other sustainable practices for the economic development of the local communities.

EL COMERCIO: “MACHU PICCHU MOVES FORWARD TOWARDS CARBON NEUTRALITY”

El Comercio newspaper joined the sixteen winners of AJE Group and Inkaterra’s ‘Agua Cielo Protectores’ campaign, which gave away a trip to Peru’s most iconic destination, the Machu Picchu citadel – a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the initiatives that encourage circular economy in Machu Picchu through an innovative waste management strategy.

“In 2015 Machu Picchu was on the verge of being included by UNESCO in its lists of Patrimonies at Risk due to a waste management crisis produced by the growth of tourism,” writes Melissa Cosmopolis. “In 2016, Inkaterra and AJE Group’s partnership with Green Initiative and the Municipality of Machu Picchu championed the ‘Machu Picchu Carbon Neutral’ initiative, first step to develop an innovative strategy to offset its carbon footprint and achieve two key objectives: reducing emissions up to 45% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, following the Paris Agreement guidelines.”

To conserve this invaluable cultural and natural heritage site for all mankind, Inkaterra and AJE Group donated two plastic waste compacting machines for Machu Picchu Pueblo and the Inca Road, each with a capacity to process 7 tons of PET on a daily basis. Additionally, El Comercio notes that the “biodiesel production plant avoids waste cooking oil being spilled to the Vilcanota River. Organic waste is treated through pyrolysis to produce biochar, a natural fertilizer for agriculture and reforestation. While glass is processed into sand for construction, avoiding extraction in riverbeds to reduce the erosion that endangers Machu Picchu Pueblo’s integrity.”

Last September 2, Green Initiative certified Machu Picchu as a Carbon Neutral destination for its specific goals to offset all its carbon emissions, becoming the first Wonder of the World to obtain such recognition.

INKATERRA PRESS HIGHLIGHTS:
‘MACHU PICCHU ET LES TRÉSORS DU PÉROU’
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS
FOR SUMMER 2022

In Paris, the bestselling exhibition Machu Picchu et les trésors du Pérou keeps the French press raving. “Long time ago, explorers went in pursuit of the legendary Eldorado, in vain. We have found it in Paris. Behind the walls at La Cité d’Architecture et du Patrimoine (Palais de Chaillot), you may find the greatest collection of Peruvian gold and silver ever seen abroad. And this is only one of the many facets of ancient civilizations revealed in this exhibition,” says Femme Actuelle. Culture Evasions names it “the most beautiful exhibition to ever showcase the world of the Incas.” Meanwhile, Sortir à Paris names it one of the best events available in Paris during Summer 2022.

The largest exhibition to showcase Peru’s cultural legacy and extraordinary biodiversity, Machu Picchu et les trésors du Pérou boasts a stunning selection of 192 artifacts from the Larco Museum – one of the most impressive collections of gold treasures to ever tour the world – and the first-ever VR tour of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. At the exhibition’s gift shop, visitors will also find special rates and promotions for a dream trip across Peru staying at the Inkaterra lodges.