Ser Manguezal

Ser Manguezal, created by Eliseu Cavalcante, was inspired by Josué de Castro's book "Of Men and Crabs" from 1967. De Castro was a Brazilian geographer, physician, writer and activist against world hunger. In his book, Castro envisions men as crabs, learning to walk in the mangroves. This relationship between them seems to unify and blend all together making the human being part of that specific biome.
This film is part of an ongoing project that examines those who depend on the mangrove ecosystem to survive, and the delicate relationship between humans and this particular ecosystem. It seeks to recognize the hard-working crab hunters of the mangroves and make their work more visible, and to bring awareness about the importance of mangroves to the environment.
Worldwide, 3,400 square kilometers (1,300 square miles) of mangrove forests were lost between 2000 and 2016, or about 2% of the global mangrove area (NASA). About 62% of the losses were due to direct human causes such as agriculture and aquaculture. Mangrove degradation is greater than the average for tropical and subtropical forest loss.

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

– Baba Dioum, 1968

Ser Manguezal

15 minutes – 2022

A film by Eliseu Cavalcante

Directed by Eliseu Cavalcante

Cinematography by Jonatas Goulart and Elton Luz

Editing by Elton Luz

Music By Luciane Dom, Ronilson Filho and Alexandre Maciel

Photos: Eliseu Cavalcante

FESTIVALS

Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival
Green Screen Environmental Film Festival (T&T)
FESTIVERD Venezuela
Festival de Cinema de Alter do Chão
International Migration & Environmental Film Festival
the Black Cat Award International Film Festival.
It was also featured on Globoplay in Brazil.

As a Brazilian-American photographer based in Arizona, my work is deeply rooted in the fusion of diverse cultures, the delicate balance of our environment, and the transformative power of social change. I firmly believe in photography’s ability to transcend boundaries and ignite a spark of understanding within individuals.

What truly captivates me as a photographer is the profound privilege of unveiling the unseen, of revealing the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. Often, it is in life’s most unassuming moments that I discover the most profound beauty and profound truths.

My approach to capturing moments is deeply influenced by my upbringing, where I was instilled with a profound reverence for nature’s grandeur and the intricate harmony that exists within all living things. This unique perspective has enriched my photography with an appreciation for the beauty of simplicity, a quality that permeates my work.

The art of capturing fleeting moments possesses the remarkable ability to transport individuals to distant realms and bygone eras. It is about bridging the chasm between the unknown and the familiar, bringing to life experiences that we may never have the opportunity to witness firsthand.

Through my lens, I strive to illuminate the world in a way that challenges perceptions, sparks empathy, and inspires action. I am committed to using photography as a catalyst for positive change, empowering individuals to become agents of transformation in their own communities and the world at large.

Eliseu Cavalcante