Vincent and the Rainforest

Global Conversations in Rural Melanesia

Abstract

The film presents a unique conversation between anthropologist Edvard Hviding and his long-term friend Vincent Vaguni, a community leader and sometime environmental activist from the remote village of Tamaneke in northern New Georgia, Solomon Islands. The film begins with a conversation at Vincent's home followed by a travel to the rainforest, where Vincent shows his knowledge regarding the use of plants and trees. The conversation gives insight into Vincent's "local" perspective on the issues of an outside world through descriptions of his career of cooperation and conflict with foreign actors (including Asian logging companies, Australian mining companies, and international environmental organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature). It also gives insight into the vast knowledge of the rainforest held by individuals like Vincent.