Synopsis

In this consummately crafted, painterly, and controversial documentary, the collaboration between filmmakers Janet Solomon and Viki van den Barselaar Smith brings their complementary skills to bear with great force on a significant and sinister aspect of South Africa’s economic development imaginary. The South African government, driven by a vision of a national petroleum company, is pushing for 30 new offshore oil and gas wells by 2030. This is the story of the growing social opposition to these plans, uniting fisher and traditional healer collectives, coastal communities, Indigenous groups, scientists, environmental NGOs, academics, and the general public in defence of the ocean commons and climate futures in what has been described as the biggest environmental campaign of South Africa's history. Expect a visually stunning, well-paced movie with a magnificent musical score.