The Burning Season (1994 film)


The Burning Season is a 1994 television movie directed by John Frankenheimer. The film chronicles Chico Mendes' fight to protect the rainforest. This was Raul Julia's last film released during his lifetime, premiering five weeks before his death. The movie was based in part on the 1990 book of the same name by journalist Andrew Revkin.

Plot

Chico Mendes was a Brazilian rubber tapper, unionist and environmental activist who was murdered in 1988 by ranchers opposed to his activism. The movie opens in 1951 with a young Chico Mendes witnessing his father's interaction with corrupt ranchers who are exploiting peasants for their work. The bulk of the film then takes place between 1983 and 1988, showing Mendes' activism to preserve the Amazon rainforest, to his murder in a drive-by shooting by a disgruntled rancher.

Cast

American Cinema Editors
Casting Society of America
Emmy Awards
Golden Globe Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards