Bruno Manser – LAKI PENAN

Searching for his dream in the jungle of Borneo

A film by Christoph Kühn
 

From 1984 to 1990, Basel born Bruno Manser lived with the Penan – the indigenous jungle people from Sarawak, Borneo. He learnt their language and adopted their culture. The Penan accepted Manser as one of themselves, calling him Laki Penan, the Penan-Man. When the first bulldozers began systematically clearing the rain-forest, Manser aroused international awareness of the ecological and human disaster through spectacular activities, which made him powerful enemies... In spring 2000, on a secret journey to the Penan, he disappeared without trace. 

Director Christoph Kühn (NICOLAS BOUVIER, 22 HOSPITAL STREET) follows Manser's trail through the Sarawak Jungle. Those Penan, who had become Manser's second family, speak of their mutual adventures and fears, and his ability to unite the Penan in resisting the tree-fellers and Police. A surprising, comprehensive portrait of the passionate scientist, mystic and romantic, who was also an angry environmentalist and defender of human rights.