La Terre de Feu (1925): Un documental Francés sobre los indígenas de Patagonia y Tierra del Fuego

Abstract

This article deals with a mute movie shot in April and May 1925, during a boat expedition in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, organized by the French Geography Society. There is only one partial copy of 37 minutes left, which was recently rediscovered and restored by the CNC (Centre National du Cinema) in France. The film shows three indigenous groups. In a long sequence of almost 20 minutes you can see the daily life of the alacalufes (kawésqar), little known and living isolated in the channels. We see them sailing, building their hut, eating seafood, etc. Another shorter sequence concerns the Yaganes (or yamana) of the Beagle Channel, better known in particular by the photos of ethnologist M. Gusinde. Finally, there are fleeting images of selk'nam (or onas) in the steppes of Tierra del Fuego.