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2 Comments// Posted in blog by admin on 09.25.09.
We’re now back in Europe having completed the second phase of filming with the Basua in Uganda. It’s now time to begin piecing their story together, pulling aspects from the thirty or so hours of footage we shot, including numerous interviews, and developing a narrative.
It’s a daunting task. Their situation is complex and undoubtedly fragile. While we were there, a number of events transpired that have made this a hugely important time in their history. This next year will be critical in how their future as a people will be shaped.
We’re determined that our documentary must play a role. Despite being a unique social and cultural group in Uganda, their situation has been mostly ignored. They remain at the bottom of the pile. We therefore feel a heavy responsibility in telling their story and lending it justice.
Just in the past few days, Edward Ndige (below, centre left), the oldest of the Basua men and one of the generation raised in the Semuliki forest, has died. Ndige was one of the more memorable characters we filmed, and with him a great deal of knowledge and personal history has been lost. His death has brought a level of urgency to the project.
Over the coming months we will be blogging about the process of documenting their story, of the many systems and players (the government, the wildlife authorities, the NGOs, their donors, and the media) that continue to shape the lives of the Basua.
We realise that we are only half-way there. Now begins an extensive process of sourcing archival footage, tracking anecdotes and piecing together all of the primary sources. We would gladly welcome any support that people could offer.
- A Robinson.
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Wonderful work you two, this is just what the pygmies need, not just the Basua, but possibly all (or most?) of the pygmy groups of central africa, and I do strongly believe that documenting their situation will help bring their plight to world media and attention, which in turn will not only put more pressure on (corrupt) governments to recognise the rights of these peoples, but also hopefully help raise funds for genuine, meaniningful partnership projects to empower the pygmies. Am very much looking forward to seeing your documentary, and truly hope that it will have the effect that it has the potential to have. Beautiful photos Amos. All the best, Aili
Thank you for your dedication to this horrendous situation. When my children were little, 20 years ago, we watched a documentary about these beautiful people – over & over, we loved seeing them find hills of termites, climb the trees, make spears & poison, and live their lives in the forest. Just a couple of weeks ago, I read about this appalling situation – gorillas over humans? And these wonderful humans who lived in harmony with the gorilla and other forest dwellers – for thousands of years? Say it isn’t so! This makes no sense, and so it must be the result of greed & desire to rid the earth of indigenous peoples.
What can we do to help? I’m in the U.S., have limited resources, but feel very dedicated to helping in some way.