Fire on the Amazon (1993)

Deforestation of the Amazon is forcing indigenous Indians away, so few men can profit from cattle. Opposition gets killed. A US photojournalist tries to investigate. Activist Alyssa helps him.

Director:

Luis Llosa

Writers:

Luana Anders (as Margo Blue), Catherine Cyran

Stars:

Craig Sheffer, Sandra Bullock, Juan Fernández

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Craig Sheffer	...	R.J.
Sandra Bullock	...	Alyssa Rothman
Juan Fernández	...	Ataninde (as Juan Fernandez)
Judith Chapman	...	Sandra
Ramsay Ross	...	Pistoleiro
David Elkin	...	Lucavida
Jorge García Bustamante	...	Valdez (as Jorge Garcia Bustamente)
Baldomero Cáceres	...	Pedro (as Baldomero Caceres)
Carlos Victoria	...	Miguel
Reynaldo Arenas	...	Djamori
Ramón García	...	Chato (as Ramon Garcia)
Eduardo Cesti	...	Rafael Santos
Natalia Torres	...	Nacia Santos
Graciela Cahuas	...	Santos' Daughter
David Killerby	...	Father Benacio

Storyline

In Bolivia's Amazon basin, corporate cattle ranches are replacing the rain forest. When Santos, charismatic leader of the union of rubber tappers, forges an alliance with Indians to protest deforestation, he is assassinated. O'Brien, a US photo-journalist who has no skills as an investigator, wants a story when he thinks the police have framed and murdered an innocent Indian as the assassin. In his search for the truth, he involves Lysa Rothman, who worked for Santos and with whom he falls in love. As he gets deeper into trouble with the cops and the real assassin, he not only needs Lysa's help but that of the Indians' leader. How many will die so O'Brien can get his story?

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Plot Keywords:

deforestation | amazon | female star appears nude | indigenous rights | rainforest | 

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Taglines:

Bares all in the wilds

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, areas of strong violence and a scene of strong sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

New Concorde Roger Corman: The Official DVD Website

Country:

USA Peru

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

2000 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Lost Paradise

Filming Locations:

Iquitos, Peru

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Concorde-New Horizons

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 78 min (R-rated) 87 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in 1990, not released until 1993. In several countries, it was re-released again after 1994, to capitalize on the popularity that Sandra Bullock had gained after Speed (1994).

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Goofs

During the sex scene Jeff has his bandages on and off during shoots. He also seems to have his shirt on after he was completely naked on previous shoots.

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Quotes

Alyssa Rothman: Write about what you feel, not about what you see. OK?

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Crazy Credits

At the beginning of the credits the following is shown: "Every day, more than 70,000 acres of rainforest are destroyed. The loss to humans and science is incalcuable."

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Alternate Versions

Available in both R and unrated versions.

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Connections

Featured in The Directors: The Films of Roger Corman (1999)

User Reviews

Deep in the hot and steamy jungle...

Deep in the hot and steamy Amazon jungle, activist Alyssa Rothman (Sandra Bullock) helps a brash photojournalist (Craig Sheffer) investigate the assassination of a famous environmentalist, at the risk of their own lives.

So goes the tag line for this film. I believe that Sandra Bullock wanted to block Roger Corman at New Concorde (formerly New Horizons) from releasing this title NOT because of the nude scene (which really isn't, just shadows and hints of nudity) but because of the thin plot. But it is the nudity angle that will drive the rental market on this direct to video release.

It is only interesting to see Sandra in the film before she became a big star in Speed. Short running time makes it easier to watch as well (78 minutes on the R rated, 85 minutes on the Unrated version).