South African documentary Out of Mined, directed by Arthur Neumeier and produced by Eyeforce, has won a Cannes Film Award.
Positioned at the intersection of activism, cinematic art, and journalism, the film traces the impacts from a deluge of mining along 450 km of coastline on coastal ecosystems and the local population, giving voice to fishers, Indigenous communities and other affected groups, with the views of scientists, legal experts and business leaders who advocate nature-based solutions.
Developed in partnership with Protect the West Coast (PTWC),the documentary was presented with the award in the Cannes Film Awards’ Work in Progress category, which recognises outstanding films during their development.
Mike Schlebach, Managing Director of Protect the West Coast, said: “For a story about South Africa’s West Coast to receive recognition on an international stage is incredibly encouraging. We hope this award helps amplify the voices of the communities featured in the film and sparks an even broader conversation about the future of our coastline.”
Director Arthur Neumeier added: “This award is an honour, but more importantly it’s recognition for the people who entrusted us with telling their story. We set out to make an honest film about a place of extraordinary beauty and complexity, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that resonate with an international audience.”
At the Labia Theatre in Cape Town earlier this month a packed house of almost 400 patrons attended the world premiere of the feature documentary Out of Mined, immersing themselves in the vast vistas of the West Coast and the urgent need to protect this fragile beauty and biodiversity from mining.
It was the first time that South African filmgoers had seen the film, which was screened at all four cinemas at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, before being released internationally to several prestigious film festivals.
“This film lays the path to tangible change on the West Coast,” Schlebach at the screening, “delivered through cinema and art, which is such a powerful tool to not only show the legacy damage of mining, but the breathtaking beauty of the region – a poignant double edged appeal to our responsibilities as citizens of South Africa.
“At this intersection between the damage and the rich biodiversity lies a message of hope, or redemption, and it’s so gratifying to see such a positive response to the film. Now we can map on our plan of action, and begin putting in place several rehabilitation and community projects we are working on,” he added.
Neumeier is a documentary director and cinematographer with a deep connection to the ocean. Through Eyeforce, he is committed to telling long-form environmental and human stories that explore the relationship between people, landscape and the natural world.
The film is the product of nine trips to the West Coast and Richtersveld, collecting over 20TB of footage, which was then distilled into a powerful 60-minute feature.
“The more time we spent on the West Coast, the more we realised how little most people actually know about what is happening there. We wanted to create a film that not only shines a light on the impact of mining, but also honors the beauty, communities and biodiversity that still remain. This film is ultimately about connection to place, and asking ourselves what kind of future we want for this coastline,” Neumeier said.
Following its Cannes win, the documentary will be shown at film festivals internationally, including the Berlin Indie Film Festival, Changing Tide Ocean Film Festival and the Green Montenegro International Film Festival.
A screening will be taking place at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday July 8 at 6:15 pm. Tickets available here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/383572-out-of-mined-second-extra-screening/