Disappearing World: The Last of the Cuiva

An ethnographic documentary directed by Brian Moser focusing on the Cuiva, a small group of nomadic hunters and gatherers in southeastern Colombia. Filmed in 1971, the film contrasts two Cuiva groups—one maintaining a traditional nomadic lifestyle, the other drawn into the Colombian economy—illustrating cultural and economic change brought about through contact with settlers and the pressures this contact places on their way of life. (Note: Produced as an episode of the Disappearing World television series, the film is structured as a self-contained ethnographic documentary with its own title, subject focus, and production context, supporting its treatment as a distinct film.)

Directed by Brian Moser, Disappearing World: The Last of the Cuiva leans on a strong ensemble — Bernard Arcand — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1971.