Private Project

Wired Roots

Wired Roots is a short film about the Brazilian firefighters who are risking their lives to combat illegal burns that are destroying the Atlantic forest. This film conveys the incredible story of Mauricio Ruiz, the environmental activist who leads the movement to protect and restore this precious biome. He is working with start-up Ecosia to harness the power of the global internet and to plant trees as we search online, so far they have planted 99 million trees.
This film shows that we all have a choice to partake in the protection of our most crucial ecosystems. It is a story that shows that the solutions exist, and that environmental restoration is possible. It is a call to action for us to protect our natural carbon sinks and save the most biodiverse forests on our planet.

  • Lea Hejn
    Director
  • Lea Hejn
    Writer
  • Lea Hejn
    Producer
  • Phil Chambers
    Camera
  • Mauricio Ruiz
    Key Cast
  • Fatima Gonzalez Torres
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 31, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    Denmark
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil, Germany
  • Language:
    English, Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • LATINUY
    MONTEVIDEO
    Uruguay
    November 9, 2019
    Latin American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Story? International Student Documentary Festival
    Cork
    Ireland
    April 23, 2020
  • International Nature Film Festival Gödöllő
    Gödöllő
    Hungary
    September 11, 2020
  • The Lift-Off Sessions
    London
Director Biography - Lea Hejn

I grew up in Denmark and France, my parents taught me wordly curiosity and deep respect for other cultures. I have since lived in the UK and Brazil. I have been experimenting with films since my early teens. I would invent dreamlike scenarios, create characters, recreate famous scenes... there were endless possibilities.

In my early 20s, I decided to make environmental protection my life pursuit. I studied Environmental Policy & Climate Change Law in London. But I got frustrated with the disconnect between the diplomatic circles and the general public. I saw emotional storytelling about the magnificent planet that we inhabitat as the key to bridge this gap.

So I decided to combine my filmmaking passion with my environmental mission. I pursued a Master’s in Wildlife Filmmaking at UWE in partnership with the BBC. My goal is to tell the stories of activists and innovators around the world, who are working on the forefront of the protection of the natural world. ‘Wired Roots’ is my first film, it recounts the story of activist Mauricio Ruiz and his quest to reforest and protect the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am an environmental filmmaker who is dedicated to telling the stories of innovators and activists, who are building a more suitable future.

I hold a BSc. in Environmental Policy and Climate Change Law and I recently completed an M.A. in Wildlife Filmmaking at UWE Bristol in partnership with the BBC. I have a passion for film, photography, aerial photography and sustainable development.

I directed and produced ‘Wired Roots’ a short film about fighting forest fires in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The film highlights how we can harness the power of the internet to reforest world wide. My partner Ecosia, is close to planting 100 million trees. I am currently working as a researcher and assistant producer on One Strange Rock 2, a series by Darren Aronofsky for National Geographic and Disney + .