Marc Thiercelin

to meet the peoples of the seas

" Through this documentary series, I went to meet peoples of the seas, rubbing shoulders with their knowledge, the fruit of centuries of observation and adaptation to their ecosystems, their way of pushing the limits of their horizon.

A l'like d'a vision idealized, the peoples of the seas are part of a present where their knowledge, their cultures offer us a look and solutions on the capacity of man to live in symbiosis with his natural environment, to know, preserve and allow the reproduction of marine resources.

I remember from these 30 exceptional meetings inspiring philosophical teachings minimalist lifestyle. "

Atlantic Ocean

Brazil, the Jangadeiros:
Ocean proof

These people built their identity around a strange boat: the jangada. A small raft about 5 meters in length capable of going more than 50 kilometers from shore by braving the biggest waves. The Jangadeiros are fishermen, but also competitors.

And also…

Brazil, the Caiçaras: Under the protection of the bay - Colombia, the Apalaanchi: Fishermen of dreams - Honduras, the Garifunas: Escapees from the Caribbean - Panama, Kunas: An archipelago in heritage - Guyana, the Kali'nas: The spirits of the delta - Guinea - Bissau, the Bijagos: The archipelago with sacred islands - Benin, the Tofins: The men of the lagoon - Mauritania, the Imraguen: The sailors of the desert

Indian Ocean

Timor, the Wawata Topu:
the clan of female divers.

For a long time, the inhabitants of the island of Atauro, in the North of Timor, lived on breeding and agriculture. When the green hillsides turned into arid lands, a handful of women living in the small village of Adara had no choice but to turn to the sea to find new resources. The men, who remained on the shore, nicknamed them the “Wawata Topu”, the “fish women”. Able to hold their breath for more than two minutes, they explore the seabed harpoon in hand, looking for octopus, fish and crustaceans. In the depths of the lush and colorful lagoon, Marc discovers a ritual between women that is both necessary and emancipatory.

And also

Australia, the Bardi Jawi: Sentinels of the ocean - Indonesia, the Badjos: A life on the waves - The Philippines, the Palaweños: The balance of the Paraw - Vietnam , the Chams: A temple on the sea - Thailand, the Mokens: The last nomads - Burma, the Dawei: To the rhythm of the tides - Oman, the Kumzaris: Descendants of Sinbad - Madagascar, the Vezos: The great migration - Mozambique, the Vahocas: The Sailors of the Sands - Tanzania, the Wapemba: Sharing the sea - The Philippines, the Badjos: A people on the sea

Pacific Ocean

New Caledonia the Kanaks:
the clan of boatmen

A land at the end of the world, the archipelago of New Caledonia is made up of five main islands, very far from each other. Marc leaves for the Isle of Pines, to meet the Kanaks. Among all the tribes that share the territory, only one has customary knowledge of the ocean and the construction of traditional canoes: the Vao tribe. Joseph has been its master canoeist for 40 years and uses the columnar pines that cover the island to build his boats. With his son Mike, he continues his mission and perpetuates the skills that have made the reputation of his tribe for centuries.

And also..

Colombia, the Emberas: The new people (in production) - New Caledonia, Kanaks: The pirate clan - Vanuatu, the Nivans: A self-sufficient island

Peoples of the Seas a co-production Découpages & Arte

audiovisual press agency since 2006

Marc Thiercelin

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