A South African documentary focusing on the effects of mining along the country’s West Coast was recently awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, shortly after its world premiere at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, where it drew sold-out screenings.
Titled Out Of Mined, the film highlights one of South Africa’s crucial environmental narratives, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Western Cape coastline while addressing the repercussions of generations of mining.
The documentary has garnered recognition in the Work in Progress category at Cannes, which celebrates exceptional films that are still in development.
This 60-minute feature is a collaborative effort between the not-for-profit organisation Protect the West Coast (PTWC) and the film production company Eyeforce. PTWC asserts that the film immerses viewers in the untamed allure of the West Coast while elucidating the enduring damage caused by a century of diamond and heavy mineral extraction on its beaches, dunes, tidal areas, and local communities.
Out Of Mined chronicles a hundred years of mining along a 450 km stretch of coastline, amplifying the voices of fishers, indigenous populations, scientists, and legal professionals. It aims to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future centred on nature-based industries.
The NPO indicates that the Cannes accolade could significantly elevate international awareness of the mining impacts in the region.
Film director Arthur Neumeier expressed that the award is a tribute to the communities central to this narrative. “This award is an honour, but more importantly, it recognises the people who entrusted us with their stories,” he stated. “We aimed to create an authentic film about a place of incredible beauty and intricacy, and it’s profoundly fulfilling to see it resonate with an international audience.”
Following its Cannes success, Out Of Mined is set to embark on an international film festival journey, with upcoming screenings at the Berlin Indie Film Festival, the Green Montenegro International Film Festival, and the Changing Tides Ocean Film Festival in the United States.
