Bushman's Secret

South Africa, 2006, 65 mins
Director: Rehad Desai

Description

After barely surviving lengthy colonial exploitation and forced relocation, the Kalahari Bushmen of South Africa have to face a new enemy: the pharmaceutical industry. The multi-billion giant is exploiting the cactus Hoodia, a non-stimulating appetite suppressant which has been part of their traditional medicine for centuries.
Intellectual property and patent laws, and a strong will are the bushmen's only weapons to fight for compensation. The uneven battle inspired filmmaker Rehad Desai to travel to the Kalahari to investigate global interest in ancient Bushmen knowledge. There he meets Jan van der Westhuizen, a fascinating Khomani San traditional healer. Jan's struggle to live close to nature is hampered by centuries of colonial exploitation. Unable to survive as they once did hunting and gathering, the Khomani now live in a state of poverty that threatens their community. Who will pass on the knowledge of the land to its people and who can protect the plants that hold the secrets that are a means to their survival?

Festivals

• Silverdocs/AFI Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, 2006
• Durban International Film Festival, 2006
• Encounters South African Documentary Festival, 2006
• 3 Continental Film Festival, South Africa, 2006
• Apollo Film Festival, 2006
• Festival de Libertes Belgium, 2006
• 15th Annual Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 2006
• Artapart screening, Muizenberg, South Africa, 2006
• In-san-ity Festival, South Africa, 2006
• International Film Festival of Zambia, 2006
• Global African Congress, Washington, 2007
• World Social Forum, Kenya, 2007
• Fribourg International Film Festival, Switzerland, 2007
• Ditschwanelo Film Festival, Botswana, 2007
• Iziko Museum, South Africa, 2007
• Syracuse International Film & Video Festival, Syracuse, NY, 2007
• Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, Seattle, WA, 2007
• African Movie Academy Awards, Nigeria, 2007
• Klein Karoo Kultur Festival, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, 2007
• Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca, NY, 2007
• Documenta Madrid, Spain, 2007
• Athens International Film & Video Festival, Ohio, 2007
• Northeastern Anthropological Association Conference, Ithaca, NY, 2007
• 14th International Environmental Film Festival, Catalonia, 2007
• Brooklyn International Film Festival, Brooklyn, NY, 2007
• Silver Dhow Award, Zanzibar International Film Festival, 2007
• DOCSDF - International Documentary Film Festival in Mexico City, 2007
• African Asian and Latin American Film Festival of Milan, 2007
• Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Canada, 2007
• Calgary International Film Festival, Canada, 2007
• Images of Repair Film Festival, N'COBRA Youth Commission of Atlanta, 2007
• Africa World Film Festival, St. Louis, MO, 2007
• African Studies Association Conference, Rutgers University, NJ, 2007
• Detroit Docs, 2007
• Kenya International Film Festival, 2007

Film Schedule | List of Films