Akashinga: The Brave Ones (2018)
Akashinga: The Brave Ones focuses on an all-female anti-poaching ranger unit; these women have all suffered hardship prior to their recruitment, some were abuse survivors, some were single mothers and others were those orphaned due to AIDS. The unit moves beyond the conservation and protection of the elephants to empower and transform the lives of its members. This documentary focuses on the rangers that understand and protect the land; revealing the bravery, skill, knowledge and determination of the women. The importance of this documentary, focusing mainly on the unit instead of on the endangered elephants, directs the viewer to consider the people behind the conservation efforts. The efforts to involve the community attempt to educate and change the locals’ perception to appreciate the importance and benefits of nature and its conservation. Though this documentary was less focused on the wildlife, it shows the crucial efforts of the rangers, their expertise of the local land and the determination of the individual and collective to alter their own lives whilst preserving and protecting nature. Wildlife filmmaking is expanding from animal behaviour documentaries, to include focus on conservation and preservation of the animals alongside the human-animal interactions. To capture wildlife footage, one has to work alongside the local experts such as rangers to tap into their knowledge of the local land.
‘Most powerful force in nature is a women’s instinct to protect.’
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