EXPLORING ECO-TRAUMA REPRESENTATIONS IN WESTERN SOCIETY’S AYAHUASCA DOCUMENTARY FILM

Sammanfattning: Through this research, I intend to investigate the fascinating domain of Ayahuasca documentary films. This emerging subgenre showcases explorers and scientists reconnecting with nature and spirituality, which I introduced to the reader through my explorative one-year master's thesis, A Study of Ayahuasca Documentary Film (2020). Furthermore, in the present study, I further my research by looking for representations of eco-trauma in three chosen case studies: Shamans of the Amazon, Other Worlds, and Ayahuasca, part of the UNWell docuseries on Netflix. The study analyses physical and psychological harm caused by human- and nonhuman/nature-induced eco-traumas representations. The main finding of the research is that the physical eco-traumas caused by humans are the major problem these films represent. The study uses eco-criticism, globalisation, and world systems theory, shedding light by Western filmmakers, scientists, and artists on indigenous communities' implicit and explicit marginalisation, highlighting the need to confront personal and collective harm. The methodology employs an explorative qualitative critical approach, as Rose Gillian pointed out, emphasising the context in which words, images, and interpretations are utilised. This research may provide valuable insights into the field by shedding light on an overlooked and understudied area and suggesting further research to address the physical eco traumas caused by humans. Keywords: Ayahuasca documentary films, Eco-Trauma, Physical eco-traumas, Psychological eco-traumas, Human-induced eco-traumas, Western filmmakers, World-System Theory, Globalisation, Eco-Criticism, Indigenous Communities, Case Studies: Shamans of the Amazon, Other Worlds, and Ayahuasca UN-Well docuseries Netflix