I Am the River, the River Is Me

A Māori leader named Ned Tapa guides a varied group of companions and family members on a canoe journey along the Whanganui River in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The film focuses on this specific waterway, which holds the distinction of being the first river recognized as a legal person. As the group travels, they explore indigenous wisdom and the connection between all living things, searching for the means to protect the planet.

This 2024 documentary was directed by Petr Lom, following his earlier work Burma Storybook from 2017. The production was handled by ZINdoc and involved producers Corinne van Egeraat and Mette Cheng Munthe-Kaas. The film features Ned Tapa appearing as himself, alongside other cast members including Desmond Canterbury, Richard Sidey, Justine Muller, Mel Kennedy, and Puoro Jerome. The project is a co-production between the Netherlands, Norway, and the Netherlands Antilles, with a total runtime of 88 minutes.