A feature-length documentary with prominent anti-fracking activist and Goldman
Environmental Prize winner Jonathan Deal is in production and set for completion by
early 2014.
Filming of the indie documentary called What’s The Frack! commenced nine months
ago in the Karoo, Cape Town and Gauteng. The film is being produced by emerging
production house VintAge Media.
Jonathan Deal rose to prominence in April this year when he was awarded the
acclaimed Goldman Environmental Prize in the US after more than two years of
campaigning against fracking in the Karoo as part of his organisation Treasure Karoo
Action Group (TKAG).
This is producer Francis Hweshe’s debut feature-length film. “By turning the lens on
Jonathan Deal, we are trying to position the spotlight on South Africa, which finds
itself in the eye of an environmental crisis, currently dividing neighbours, citizens and
governments globally,’ says Hweshe.
“Many ordinary South Africans appear to be in the dark about unconventional shale
gas mining. We hope that our film will assist in shedding light on this critical matter,’
the filmmaker continues.
He says it has been an honour to be part of Deal’s unwavering journey as Deal tries
to stop the gas rush in the Karoo.
So far the film has been entirely financed by Hweshe, director Davison Mudzingwa and
cinematographer Themba Vilakazi.
Watch the trailer at http://www.whatsthefrack.co.za/t
railer.html.
