Mercury and other heavy metals used in the gold mining process have entered the ecosystem of the Amazon river and have contaminating the blood of the indigenous people living on the banks of the rivers. The documentary draws a parallel between what is happening in the Amazon and the catastrophic mercury contamination in Minamata, Japan in the 1950s which led to 'Minamata disease' that extreme cases, caused insanity, paralysis, coma and death. In spite of careful monitoring of the impact on the health of communities, the gold trade remains completely unregulated with immeasurable social, economic and health consequences. This is a short 30 minute film, with a full length feature in the making.
