The untold story of the Swiss colony
Nova Friburgo celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2018, offering us the opportunity to trace its genesis and see Switzerland and Swiss people from another perspective. The Swiss were the first European immigrants to settle in Brazil after the Portuguese and their story involves very actual discussions.
1816 the year without summer 
Région de Nova Friburgo 
Martin Nicoulin, Swiss Historian 
Nascimento, capoeira teacher at Nova Friburgo favela 
Nova Friburgo after the 2011 floods
Why it's important to make this documentary
I believe the story of Nova Friburgo should be told, not only for its inherent epic interest but also because it sheds a light on very present issues nowadays such as equality, cultural identity, immigration, and climate change. It gives us a different perspective on very human issues. Today the Swiss descendants are found by the thousands throughout the mountain range, mixed with Portuguese, African, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. This documentary is also interested in the fusion of cultures and how Brazilians deal with their historical and ethnic heritage.
La disette de 1816-1817 a accéléré l’émigration. Ce tableau votif de 1819 représente des Fribourgeois sur le lac de Neuchâtel, en partance pour le Brésil via la Hollande: «Vierge des Vierges, accordez leurs votre protection.» Image: MUSÉE D’ART ET D’HISTOIRE DE FRIBOURG 
Nova Friburgo 19th century - by Herman Burmeister
How we'll invest this money
Many images have already been shot. Now we’re focused on the following steps:
- Trip to Nova Friburgo for 2 weeks to produce the final interviews in the place as well as to shoot images covering the 200th-anniversary events. We need to pay for tickets, transport, accommodation, food and a small crew.
- We need to rent an editing station and engage a good editor to help to finalize the film
