Synopsis
Lions are known to dislike water. However, in Malawi, Africa even lions have to live with water in order to survive. The shortage of water in Africa forces wildlife to join a great migrant trail when the dry season reaches its peak. Unfortunately, humans always occupy wet areas or the paths that lead to them, making it almost impossible to avoid a clash between humans and wildlife.
Director
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Park Hwan-sungRepresentative Park Hwan-sung of a documentary film production company Blue Rhino Pictures has majored biology and film directing in the university and is an expert in nature documentary films. He has been producing documentary films about nature and environment for more than 10 years. He directed <The History of Suffering of Tigers<, <Malawi, War on Water Surface<, <A Boy and an Elephant<, <In the Name of the Father<, along with others. Especially EBS <Docuprime-The History of Suffering of Tigers< which unveiled the reality of endangered species won the award for best picture in 2011 at the Korean Program Director Grand Prize, and the grand prize at the Korean independent Program director award. <Tears of an Elephant Boy< which depicted elephants suffering for human greed and an agonized human who must abuse the elephants won the honor award for pitching in 2016 Korea Documentary Film Festival. Director Park Hwan-sung’s <AFRICA-The War for Water<(2009) and <The Shadow of Sundarbans<(2011) was shown at the 3rd and the 4th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival respectively.
Review
Whether it is out of greed or survival, territorial conflict has been a common phenomenon to both humans and
animals. Furthermore, not only is war common between two parties that belong to two completely different worlds,
but also between parties from the same side. Throughout history, humans have always been the winners of all
these wars and as a result they are on top of the ecosystem. The territories for animals are decided by humans and
anything crossing the boundaries has to face the brutal consequences. But when it is inevitable for their own
survival, territories become meaningless.
Lake Malawi is located in Central Africa. It is the third biggest lake in Africa and inscribed as a UNESCO world
heritage site. The famous explorer Livingstone once called it ‘the lake of stars’. And yet, instead of being smitten
with the beauty of Malawi, the director turns to the fierce struggles and survival in it: that is, the conflict between
human and animal. However, it is not just a ritual fight over water in the dry season. As a matter of fact, humans
crossed the boundary first. Therefore, the provocation by animals is a matter of course. The natives once made a
comfortable living, thanks to the abundant fish in the lake. But now they have to fight each other for a good spot and
migrate to look for fertile soil that is in animal territory. It is time for the two parties, as well as the humans among
themselves, to find ways to coexist. [Kang Seok-pil / Via: 3th DMZ Docs]
Credits
- Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Music Park Hwan-sung
Production Company
- Production Company Blue Rhino Pictures