Africa: Untold (Docu-Series)
Meet Africa’s game changers: the Innovators, Educators, Pioneers and Protectors, the Women and Men who are reimagining and reshaping Africa’s future.
Interview with Director/Producer Bruce Donnelly
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Making films and telling stories is my way of having an impact in the world, a chance to share my passions and love for the people, places and causes that mean the world to me. As a South African, I’ve always felt there’s so much more to the country than what most people get to see and experience. Film, television and media coverage of Africa in general has always been slanted in a negative way, which I could never argue is inaccurate, but simply incomplete.
The Africa: Untold series, I hope, can begin to represent a much broader, more inclusive and promising view of what’s happening today across the continent. The women and men whose work and lives are shared in each episode, represent those who are working tirelessly to overcome enormous challenges and obstacles in their communities and countries, and having a positive impact as a result. These stories don’t skirt these deep struggles, but face them head on, with the eye of the series fixed more on what can be done and those who are doing it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The idea behind the series is to introduce audiences to the unsung women and men across the continent, to tell the untold stories of those working on exciting and innovative projects and with a vision to improve the lives of those around them, through their efforts in education, innovation, business and conservation. Discovering so much more about the people and places, and the positive work being done across the continent, especially at a time of such worldwide intolerance, suspicion and polarization, is something I hope audiences the world over, will be in search of and respond well to.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Each episode of Africa: Untold is focused on an individual, and in some cases a small group of people, who open up about their personal struggles and daily challenges. For example, Philani Dladla (The Pavement Bookworm) reveals his challenges in overcoming drug and alcohol dependency, and the impact that had on him and his family, and the long, dark road he walked down to finally discover and be rescued by his deep love of books and learning. He is now living drug and alcohol free and has committed his life to nurturing young minds, teaching and encouraging them to read and open up their worlds and possibilities through the power of knowledge. In this case, we see how Philani’s very personal life story, from his struggles, to his passion for education, are themes that run the full spectrum, from extremely intimate to universal.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The idea for the project began as a feature film about lion hunting in Botswana and the many social, political and conservation conundrums and obstacles involved. As the idea was developing, it became evident that there were so many layers to the problems at play: education, economic divide, the role of women, urban encroachment. It became a long list of factors that were contributing to or at least affected by the matter of lion hunting. As this became more and more evident, the broader picture began to interest me greatly. I knew that to cover all these themes and really do justice to the many stories, people and organizations at work around these issues, it could not fit within a 90-min feature, but rather as a series. The decision to tell individual stories, but all centered around the greater theme of Africa and those working to overcome these struggles, soon developed. The search then began to find the first 6 episodes to cover but some of these subjects, resulting in those that comprise Africa: Untold (Series 1).
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Africa: Untold is gearing up to make its introduction to the world. We have not yet released the series, but have however put out the pilot episode of The Black Mambas. Immediately, this was selected by the American Documentary Film Festival in California, who premiered it April 9th, 2018, to an extremely positive and enthusiastic audience.
The announcement of this screening was posted on Facebook a few days prior, receiving over 170 shares from individuals and organizations who feel extremely passionately about the subjects raised therein, namely Black female empowerment and rhino conservation. The question that kept getting asked: “When and where can we watch this?” Given that the series is in pre-release, we find this enthusiasm and support extremely encouraging.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I look forward to the official release of the series and the questions, comments and discussions that will surround it. As always, I’m sure there will be many challenges, especially as each episode raises so many pertinent and difficult questions, regarding a range of subjects. However, feedback thus far has been nothing but positive, affirming my belief that audiences are searching for this kind of content.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Africa: Untold has a broad scope, not only in its themes and subjects, but in its content covering as much of the continent of Africa as possible. Those who feature in the series are themselves looking to have a far-reaching and deep impact in their fields. For both the series and those whose stories feature in it to achieve this, we need as broad a reach as possible.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
As mentioned above, for the series and the work of those who feature within it, to have a far-reaching and deep impact, we need to build a team to support the ongoing development, distribution and outreach of these stories. Africa: Untold has at its helm an experienced team of filmmakers, who are always open to partnerships and collaborations, to ensure as great an impact for the project as possible. Having the project on We Are Moving Stories would hopefully give the project a welcome platform, to help us find producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists with whom we can work.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
When someone trusts you to tell their story, as a filmmaker you guard that trust and value it enormously. For me, these stories are from my home and as such could not be more personal. I care deeply for what Africa: Untold stands for and all those whose lives and passions make up each episode. As such, I could only hope the series has a positive, global impact and is met with the same love and enthusiasm that was invested in it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can the everyday, unsung women and men of this world truly have an impact and bring about significant change to their communities and countries?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
DKR Films has a number of projects in post-production as well as in development:
“Revolutions” - Cuban-American, Fermin Rojas, returns to Havana for the first time in 50 years and decides to reconnect to his homeland the best way he knows how. By forming Cuba’s first and only Gay Men’s Chorus.
- Feature length Documentary. Post-Production.
“Las Damas” - Beginning in Mexico, then heading to Cuba, this series is a celebration of the independent and entrepreneurial women throughout Latin America, who have defied the odds in male-dominated societies, to become successful in their businesses.
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
_______________________________________________________________________________
Africa: Untold (Docu-Series)
Meet Africa’s game changers: the Innovators, Educators, Pioneers and Protectors, the Women and Men who are reimagining and reshaping Africa’s future.
Length: 6 Episodes
Director: Bruce Donnelly
Producer: Bruce Donnelly, Paulo Adorni, Amy Kramer, Dumisani Khwela, Adelaide Steedley, Fermin Rojas, Jay Kubesch.
Writer: Amy Kramer & Bruce Donnelly
About the Writer, Director and Producer:
Amy Kramer (Writer/Researcher)
Cape Town-based local writer and producer, Amy has been a radio DJ, researcher and producer for the University of Cape Town and Cape Talk Radio. She is the founder of Write On South Africa, a program to help people find their voices and self-expression through writing.
Bruce Donnelly (Creator/Director)
South African filmmaker, who's produced and directed a number of film, television and commercial projects, including most recently the Cuban documentary feature Alumbrones, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S8 commercial for Brazil, co-produced with Discovery Channel.
Key Cast: Lewyn Mafala and Nkateko Letti (The Black Mambas), Philani Dladla (The Pavement Bookworm), Ndabo Langa (The Chairman), Mandla Maseko (The Afronaut), Thamsanqa Hoza (The Disruptors).
Looking For: Producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists.
Website: www.dkrfilms.com
Funders: DKR Films
Made in association with: Adorni Films (Brazil)