About
When South African filmmaker Rehad Desai travels to the Kalahari to investigate global interest in ancient Bushmen knowledge, 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 of the San Bushmen and of their land.
Unable to survive as they once did hunting and gathering, the Khomani now live in a state of poverty that threatens to see the last of this community forever. One plant could make all the difference. Hoodia, a cactus used by Bushmen for centuries, has caught the attention of a giant pharmaceutical company. It now stands to decide the fate of the Khomani San.
Bushman's Secret features breathtaking footage of the Kalahari landscape, and exposes us to a world where modernity collides with ancient ways, at a time when each has, strangely, come to rely on the other.
Subjects:
Indigenous Studies:
Regions:
Credits
Bushmen's Secret
Director
Rehad Desai
Photography and Co-Director
Richard Wicksteed
Producers
Harmut Keiper
Rehad Desai
Anita Khanna
Zivia Desai Keiper
Editor
Catherine Meyburgh S.A.G.E.
Menno Boerema
Sound
Robin Harris
Sound Designer
Wilber Schubel
Sound Editor
Juli Vanderberg
Online Editor & Colorist
Yoav Dagan
Music Composer
Philip Miller
Script
Anita Khanna
Additional Photography
Nicolaas Hofmeyer
Creative Consultants
Stef Snel
Guy Oliver
Narration Coach
Fiona Ramsay
Additional Editing
Flaremedia
Video Vision
Assistant Editors
Nkanyiso Sodinda Ncube
Ravi Desai
Adam Patyk
Additional Camera
Francesco Biaginni
Phillip Vail
David Burton
Vincent Moloi
Additional Sound
Ian Arrow
Mogamat Arendse
Wayne Hammond
Nami Mhlongo
Production Assistants
Mohau Memeza
Nkanyiso Sodinda Ncube
Adam Duignan
Deon Noubitsen
Tszmkxao Fanie IUi
Promo Editor
Francesco Biaginni