National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Ever since the release of the now-classic Roots of Chicha compilation on Barbès Records, this hypnotic Amazonian guitar music has gone from a regional curiosity to the playlists of every Latin music fan from Lima to London.

The original release-which will be joined by a second volume in October-was a labor of love, with tracks handpicked from dozens of original albums brought back by Barbès Records founder Olivier Conan from his travels in Peru. And for those keeping score, these recordings were also the inspiration for Conan's band Chicha Libre.

Now Conan is collaborating with David Teague of The Brooklyn Vitograph Company, to shoot a documentary film about one of the pioneers of chicha music, legendary Amazonian rocker Ranil, who he first encountered this summer, while playing a show in Berlin with Chicha Libre. It was Ranil's first time playing outside Peru, and according to Conan, "The reception was tremendous" - inspiring him to learn more about the man and his music.

Says Olivier: "Ranil's story turned out to be even more amazing than we anticipated. He is from Iquitos, a metropolis situated in the middle of the Amazon, with no road access. Ranil started out as a teacher, became a professional chicha musician in the mid 70's, started his own record label, then decided to launch his own radio station and became somewhat of an activist. He has lived through an oil boom, a couple of dictatorships, civil war and terrorism and yet, has always managed to remain fiercely independent. He has become somewhat of a legend and is now running for mayor. He may even win."

That's the crux of the film so far, titled Our Man In Iquitos it's a documentary "about Ranil, about Iquitos, and about the music itself". Check out the trailer below:

Right now the production is raising funds to shoot in the Amazon, via Kickstarter, and pledges are rewarded with Barbès Records CDs, including the upcoming Roots of Chicha 2.

For more for info on the film and how to donate, check out the Our Man In Iquitos kickstarter page here.