The Brazilian government has awarded its top conservation gong to the 1980 Italian schlock-fest Cannibal Holocaust.
The film, a pioneer of the found-footage genre, tells the story of a missing documentary crew who went to the Amazon to film cannibal tribes. Their conduct, and the headhunters they film, descend into an orgy of violence, ravaging and flesh eating.
Though banned in dozens of countries due to its disturbing depictions of graphic violence, the controversial movie has been lauded in Brazil for its portrayal of flora and fauna in the Amazon Rainforest.
Handing the prestigious “Amigho do Brazil” prize to director Ruggero Deodato, head of Amazonian affairs Francisco della Hayid said: “Due to years of deforestation, many of the locations used in the film are now arid cattle ranches for fast food chains. Their former glory can only be enjoyed by watching the film.”
When released, Cannibal Holocaust was attacked by activists for its real life on-screen animal deaths, including two monkeys, a coatamundi, a snake, a turtle and a pig. But della Hayid insists that these scenes also provide valuable conservation information.
“It is only thanks to the close-up killings of these animals that we were able to describe two previously unknown species, both of which are now extinct. If it were not for the attention to detail of the film makers, these species would be lost to science.”
Director Chris Nolan is said to be in talks with Grindhouse Releasing to acquire the rights for a remake of the film, with Leonardo DiCaprio rumoured to be interested in the role of NYU anthropologist Harold Monroe. The project is already generating Oscar buzz.
No word for gravy 