ALMA a film by Patrick Rouxel

'Alma', a film conceived and directed by Patrick Rouxel, is a compelling cinematic treat characterized by its raw, unfiltered examination of the dark underbelly of human’s impact on the environment in the Amazon rainforest. Released in 2010, this French documentary delivers a vivid insight into the devastation wrought upon the natural world in the name of consumerism. Rouxel’s avoidance of narration and reliance on stark visuals and ambient sound helps create an intense and moving portrait of the intersection of nature, industry, and ecological devastation.

The title 'Alma' translates literally to 'soul' in Spanish and Portuguese, encapsulating the spiritual undertones of the film. The subject of 'Alma' revolves around severe environmental issues including deforestation, illegal mining, hunting, poaching, and cattle ranching, whilst making an essential commentary on the global demand for cheap resources. The film is a potent critique of the cold, mechanical processes responsible for these ecological disasters, highlighting the consequences these actions impose on the precious biodiversity of the Amazon's flora and fauna.

Rouxel chooses to tell the story without the use of dialogue or traditional voice-over narration. Instead, he guides the viewer through unsettling scenarios, using nothing more than the stark sounds and sights of devastation – the buzzing of chainsaws, the crash of felled trees, the distress of the living beings affected. Each scene is a story in itself, chronicling a grim facet of environmental exploitation. It's a bold cinematography choice, yet it engenders a surprisingly close connection with the depicted scenarios, urging viewers to reflect on the stark realities of the human ravaging of the Earth.

Filmed over a period of one year, 'Alma' unfolds in three acts. The first part is set in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, capturing its majestic beauty and abundant wildlife. From lush green foliage to diverse bird colonies, this section establishes the natural harmony disturbed by human intrusion. The second part takes us deep into the horrors of cattle ranching, logging, and deforestation operations – a diving descent from natural harmony into disruptive chaos. The third and final part is a heartbreaking sequences revealing every stage of the process by which expansive natural territory turns into merchandise – namely leather jackets, sneakers, and burgers - providing an unsettling meta commentary on consumer culture.

Interestingly, Rouxel presents the human characters involved in these destructive activities with a certain level of detachment, shedding light on how they too are merely cogs in the wheel of global demand. It’s an objective look at the human role in this ecological tragedy, neither villainizing nor excusing, but simply portraying.

The camera work in 'Alma' is truly breathtaking. There are sweeping aerial shots of the rainforest canopy, powerful close-ups of wildlife, and distressing images of desolation. Despite the harsh realities it portrays, the film is visually stunning thanks to its striking cinematography. Its juxtaposition of breathtaking beauty and stark devastation makes 'Alma' all the more impactful, creating a resonance that persists long after viewing.

A particularly haunting aspect of the film is the sound design. The eerie silence of the rainforest, punctuated by the natural calls of its inhabitants, slowly gives way to the intrusive hum of machinery, the eerie silence following deforestation, and the quiet suffering of displaced animals. These sounds serve as potent cues stirring the viewer's emotions and amplifying the film’s distressing message.

'Alma' is a sobering cinematic experience which goes beyond the conventions of a nature documentary. Rather than merely documenting, it illustrates a harsh critique of human ignorance and the resulting exploitation of nature. It forces the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths about our consumer habits and their dire ramifications on our planet. 'Alma', in its raw and silent storytelling, is a poetic yet tragic tribute to the Amazon rainforest, an ode to its lost soul that urges viewers to reflect upon their own relationship with nature, and the global paradigm of consumption.