The Burning Season

Raul Julia stars as rain-forest crusader Chico Mendes. Pinheiro: Edward James Olmos. Regina: Sonia Braga. Steven Kaye: Nigel Havers. Sezero: Carmen Argenziano. Ilzamar: Kamala Dawson. Jair: Esai Morales. Directed by John Frankenheimer., This highly acclaimed made-for-cable movie tells the real-life story of one man’s battle to save his land. Raul Julia stars as Chico Mendes, the Brazilian union leader who rallied his people to rise up and fight the exploitation of the rainforest. Mendes called on the locals to protest land developers building a road through the Amazon in an effort to make it more accessible for business. Julia is outstanding in his portrayal of the impassioned worker, who was subsequently assassinated in 1990. Nominated for many awards, the film took the Golden Globe for “Best Mini-series for TV” and several Emmy awards. Raul Julia won the Golden Globe and the Emmy for his inspiring lead performance., Brazilian union organizer Chico Mendes united Indians against the land barons plundering his homeland for economic gain. He was hailed as a saviour of the Amazon by the international media.