A new documentary will tell the true story of four children who survived alone in the Columbian jungle after a plane crash. This is the first time the children will have told their story. This film with the working title LOST IN THE AMAZON, will be directed by Academy Award®-winning directing-producing team E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, The Rescue), and Emmy® and BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Juan Camilo Cruz (In Her Hands, Messi’s World Cup). Double Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Searching for Sugar Man) and double Emmy Award-winning Jonathan Chinn (LA 92, TINA) of Lightbox will produce alongside Emmy Award winner Guillermo Galdos of Pacha Films (From Tenancingo to New York) and Mark Grieco, along with Vasarhelyi and Chin.
The story that this documentary will come from revolves around a plane crash that took place in May of 2023. It captured attention globally and crossed cultural and political divides as their story showed the power of the unbreakable bond of family along with the triumph of faith and perseverance against impossible odds.
From the Filmmakers
“Our films have a common theme of the indomitability of the human spirit and its power to move, inspire and remind us all of what we are capable of when differences can be put aside. LOST IN THE AMAZON (working title) is the epitome of this message. We’re thrilled to partner once again with our friends at National Geographic Documentary Films and thank them for their unwavering support. We’re honored to be working with Juan Camilo Cruz, from whom we have already learned so much,” said directors Vasarhelyi and Chin.
“As a Colombian-born filmmaker, I’m incredibly proud to tell this story, which shines a light on the people who call the Amazon home, and the wealth of wisdom it holds. I hope that this film will make us all think about the real value of the Amazon and the people who live there, as well as showcasing the incredible bravery of these four children, who are truly incredible heroes. I see this story as an example for all of us that it is possible to work together for something bigger than ourselves, something that this world desperately needs,” said director Juan Camilo Cruz.
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn of Lightbox echoed those sentiments: “The story of LOST IN THE AMAZON(working title) is one of courage, strength and the resilience of four extraordinary children. We are incredibly proud to partner with Pacha Films to secure unprecedented access to the children themselves, to tell their own definitive and inspirational story for the first time. Juan Camilo Cruz, Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin are the perfect directing trio, and we can’t think of a better home than National Geographic for this project.”
At this point, there isn’t a timeline for when this documentary will be released. However, it is known that it will be coming exclusively to National Geographic and Disney+/Hulu.
About Lost in the Amazon
The documentary will tell the incredible true story of the struggle for survival of four Indigenous children in the guerilla-held jungles of Colombia and the daring national effort to rescue them. The film will exclusively reveal firsthand accounts from the children detailing their story of survival. Currently in production, the feature documentary LOST IN THE AMAZON (working title) will be available exclusively on National Geographic and Disney+/Hulu. A release date has not been set.
With exclusive, unprecedented access to the four Indigenous children, Lesly and Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy and Tien and Cristin Ranoque Mucutuy, LOST IN THE AMAZON (working title) will share for the first time the story of how after a terrifying plane crash and the tragic death of their mother, they survived for 40 days in the deep Amazonian rainforest using their Indigenous knowledge of the jungle. Through firsthand accounts, the documentary charts the astonishing journey of the siblings, aged from 11 months to 13 years, as they struggle against the elements, unaware of an unprecedented search and rescue collaboration between Indigenous groups and the military to save them. The film will also feature the incredible stories of the Indigenous and military teams who joined forces to rescue the children, giving comprehensive access to every major participant to present the definitive record of this remarkable true story. The parties involved have also collaborated on a trust to benefit the children.
What do you think about this new documentary that is coming from National Geographic Documentary Films? Are you excited to see it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
