Overview

ABOUT THE FILM

Unearthed is a groundbreaking, award-winning, independent South African feature documentary that investigates fracking in the

United States – the technology’s place of origin – in order to understand what this new method of gas extraction

could mean for the semi-arid Karoo and other countries who are considering its implementation.

 

“A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE MURKY WATERS SURROUNDING THE SHALE GAS INDUSTRY.”

 

The film covers the extensive journey that Karoo born director, Jolynn Minnaar, took totalling 18 months of research;

over 300 interviews; traveling across South Africa, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom;

battling gag orders, no trespassing zones and suffering first hand chemical exposure from drilling sites – to get to the bottom of the controversial topic.

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

TITLE: Unearthed

TAGLINE: The deeper the dig, the darker the secrets.

GENRE: Investigative Documentary

FORMAT: HD

RUNNING TIME: 90 MIN and 52 Min

LANGUAGE: English, Afrikaans with English Subtitles

LOCATION: South Africa, United States of America, Canada

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: South Africa

YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2014

DIRECTOR:
Jolynn Minnaar

PRODUCERS:
Dylan Voogt (Stage 5 Films)

Stacey Keppler (Zootee Studios)

Saskia Schiel (Stage 5 Films)

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Jolynn Minnaar

EDITOR:
Daniel Mitchell

ANIMATION:
Candice Wainright

SOUND:
Morne Marias

MUSIC:
Original score by Brendan Jury

GRADE:
Francesca Barredo, 744 Digital

ONLINE:
Niel Simpson, Priest Post Production

 

DIRECTOR, CINEMATOGRAPHER – JOLYNN MINNAAR

Dubbed as a “next generation Erin Brokovich”, Jolynn Minnaar is a dynamic, powerful young woman working on various important South African projects. In the fracking arena, she works with several community coalitions from the Karoo to Nigeria and her associations with grassroots organisations extend from Australia to Ireland, from Canada to the United States.

Jolynn has already presented her findings on shale gas extraction at various conferences both locally and abroad, her work has appeared in government papers and various studies including the South African Medical Journal and EJOLT, the Environmental Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade Project. After graduating with distinction from the University of Cape Town with a triple major BA degree in Film, Media and Media Production, Jolynn specialised in cinematography and editing at AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance.

Jolynn works as a director, photographer and cinematographer as well as communications strategist in the local film and media industry.

PRODUCER – DYLAN VOOGT

Dylan Voogt is one of South Africa’s youngest producers and co-owner of Stage 5 Films. After 10 years at Moonlighting’s Films, South Africa’s premiere production facilitation company, Dylan is applying his experience to a number of international and local film projects. His most recent producing credits include Oliver Hermanus’s “Skoonheid” – selected for “Un Certain regard” category at the 2011 64th Cannes Film Festival, and first South African film to win an award at the prestigious festival. The Film went onto receive numerous other international accolades and locally, was the official selection for South Africa’s Best Foreign film submission to the Academy Awards in 2012.

Dylan has fulfilled the role of Producer, Line Producer and Production Manager, across many territories from Hollywood features to small independent projects and documentaries. Dylan worked with various Hollywood studios including Universal Pictures, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Dylan was the Producer for the African segment of documentary Samsara – the follow up to the multi award winning picture Baraka. Dylan also line produced documentary The Beautiful Game (Africa 10) . These two projects saw Dylan working in over 11 African Countries across the continent.

In 2012, Dylan co-founded Stage 5 Films, developing five Features Films and documentaries, working primarily with young Directors and Writers. The company’s passion is extracting the best possible work & magic from these young talents and to make artistic, enduring and quality films for both local and international distribution. He is a member of the South African Independent Producers Organisation and was recently invited to be part of the 2013 Berlinale Talent Campus.

PRODUCER – STACEY KEPPLER

Stacey Keppler is owner of Zootee Studios, a vibrant, professional Cape Town camera and studio rentals company that serves the local film and television industry. The company has recently transitioned to solar energy making it one of the first grid-tie solar projects in the country and one of very few solar-powered film studios in the world.

PRODUCER – SASKIA SCHIEL

With the support of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Saskia graduated from AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. The short films she produced during her studies have been included in festival programs around the world including the short “Mune”, which was selected for several international festivals and locally won the SAFTA for Best Animation in 2011.

Based in Cape Town, Saskia has been working on both local and international Feature Films, Documentaries, TV Series and Commercials. The highlight of her career thus far is being part of the team who created “Skoonheid”. In 2012 she partnered with producer Dylan Voogt in establishing Stage 5 Films, gaining her first producing credit on documentary “Unearthed” and feature film “Hollywood in my Huis”.