Synopsis: When the Rivers Speak focuses on the stories of Grandmother Shelley DePaul and her son Adam DePaul from the Lenape Nation (Pennsylvania and New Jersey); and Phuyu Uma and Eyder from the Yanakuna Nation (Colombia). Their stories are tied by the dialogues they maintain with the rivers of their territories, the Lenapewihittuk/Delaware River and the Rio Yuma/ Magdalena River; and with each other, as all waters of the world are connected. For all of the humans in this film, listening and communicating with rivers has unlocked the door to remembering who they are, where they come from, and how to live lives that serve the shared existence of all beings of earth. Their communication with rivers is also a key component of their ongoing efforts to resist extractivist mining and industrial projects that threaten the health of the rivers and ecosystems around them. In their stories, we hear the roaring echo of indigenous resurgence movements that are growing and strengthening across the continent: people are listening to the living beings around them and remembering/reclaiming the identities and knowledge that were stolen from them but were never erased. Like rivers moving steadily toward the ocean, where they meet the waters carried there by other rivers, these efforts are joining in the ‘shared ocean’ of transnational solidarity and societal transformation.

Timeline: We have our first shoot with the Lenape collaborators at the end of July during which we will be recording experiences with the community on the river as well as around a campfire discussing the importance of water in Lenape tradition. Throughout the summer in New York City we will also be shooting experimental water imagery in addition to recording interviews with experts in the field of water management and activism. As we collect footage over the summer, we will begin editing so as to have a picture-locked film by early summer 2024. That way we can finish post production over the summer to have the film ready for community screenings and festival submissions by the fall 2024.

If you are interested in financially supporting us as a producer, reach out and we can share the amount options and corresponding producer credits we have available.

 Visit the When the Rivers Speak Website

Find the filmmakers Kayla Franklin and Maria F. Pulido-Velosa on Instagram at  @kayla.franklin.900 and @mar.pulidov