Voices from the Red Island – A documentary film

Cosmos Productions has been recently granted funds by the NGO, Conservation International to make a documentary film that will give a voice to the local people of Madagascar. So we’re going back 1 year later, in August 2010!

On this project, I am collaborating with Stephen Davis (my husband) to create Voices from the Red Island, a social and environmental documentary film that captures how social and environmental issues intersect at critical points on the beautiful and fragile island of Madagascar.

Some info about the film….

The indigenous, rural people of Madagascar live in close connection to their natural environment. Their livelihoods depend on the natural world and inherently the forests and biodiversity of ‘the Red Island’ – the name coming from the colour of her fertile soil. With the current plundering of rainforests of rare hardwoods, (after a political coup that happened in February 2009 that left the country with weak rule of law), coupled with the devastation of 90% of the country’s forests for agriculture and charcoal through slash and burn practices, this natural environment is dwindling at a rapid rate. People living on the periphery of the forests are putting more and more pressure on Madagascar’s parks and reserves. At the same time, the local rural people experience climate changes and seasonal shifts that are happening on a global scale, as real problems. Cyclones are more intense, dry and rainy seasons are too short or too long, and crop yields are lower or entirely destroyed by extreme weather events.

For these people, climate change is already a reality, although they may not know how to name the phenomenon, they are increasingly realizing that the changes are not just an environmental issue, but also one with severe socioeconomic implications. It is a potential threat to their very existence and a major issue of human rights and equity.

This film aims to give a voice to these people.

We feel that at the interface of environmental destruction and climate change impacts, personal stories as testimonies of the adversities of climate change will move the hearts and minds of people in developed countries to redress the differences in ability to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Voices from the Red Island will demonstrate the interconnectedness of the human race; of actions, consequences and accountability.

So stay connected to our blog as we’ll be bringing you more updated info as we progress!

Jacqueline

Paraphernalia takes the National Arts Festival by storm

In partnership with the Cape Town Edge, a collective of 11 Cape Town based companies, we did the long road trip to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival to perform our show Paraphernalia.

After a long and grueling rehearsal process, Paraphernalia was a resounding success, selling over twice the amount of tickets than 2009. Paraphernalia was inspired by a little orange desk lamp that we’ve owned since childhood, and the Story of Stuff, an online video by Annie Leonard about where our stuff comes from and where it goes.

The story follows Stanley, a timid and self concious character who seeks more from life than just a stamping job and a friendship with a desk light. After an appointment with his therapist, and a blossoming relationship with his work colleague Felicity, he goes shopping and gets hooked by the world of consumerism and begins to loose connection to the important things in life.

The Official National Arts Festival newspaper, The Cue wrote:

“An insightful and emotive look at the world of consumerism in the modern world told through the story of Stanley and his lamp. Half absurdist, half commedia del'arte this multimedia piece is endearing and innovative. It uses daily objects as moving, living characters along with gorgeously choreographed stage movement is captivating and thus this show becomes a shining example of true fringe theatre.”

As well as a fantastic review, the team were interviewed by Cue Online to create a podcast about the show and it's characters. On Friday's 2^nd July we even had a feature story written about the show. Check out the links below.

The Paraphernalia team will be performing the show again in Cape Town. So watch this space!

Daniel

Lightness in our 'playing'

A journalist that came to see Paraphernalia at the National Arts Festival last week, commented on how we managed to create a lightness and quirkiness in our show although it was dealing with a serious issue.

Paraphernalia was born out of that exact intention: how we could use our various theatre talents and skills to tell a story that draws people in, entertains them but also brings an important message about social behaviour. We wanted Paraphernalia to be slightly off the

wall and absurd; we wanted people to chuckle

and giggle; and we wanted audiences to believe that desk lamps have feelings too...

Our 5 shows at NAF went off very well (other than a wobbly first show), and we received some great responses all round to the hard work we put in to bringing this story to life. Combining the skills and commitment of 3 great actors: Cassandra Hendricks, Daniel Robinson and Andrea van Meygaarden; the collaboration of Jesse Kramer, Jacqueline van Meygaarden and Liezel Reddeck on creating the masks and the commitment of a team who've worked with no reward for over a month, we pulled off something to be proud of!

Thanks all for a rewarding experience. You all rock!

Jacqueline

NAF AMAZ!NG

We've just come back from the National Arts Festival in Grahamtown, where we did 5 awesome performances of Paraphernalia. What an AMAZ!ING week... a fantastic venue (Princess Alice Hall), great people, brilliant shows, great atmosphere, lovely warm weather...We couldn't expect more.

Being a french intern working with Cosmos Productions, it was my first time at the National Arts Festival and first time in South Africa, and although I don't come from a theatre background, I really felt the full experience and just loved it.

I have been working on the marketing and publicity for our show Paraphernalia, and helped in running the video projections in the show, and although it was stressful at times, it was all good stress....

Thank you to the Cape Town Edge, all our sponsors, and all the people who believe in us that give us the opportunity to realise this kind of fabulous project.

Célia Fressynet