Original Title: FROM TRASH TO TREASURE: turning negatives into positives
SYNOPSIS
FROM TRASH TO TREASURE: turning negatives into positives – directed by iara lee (Cultures Of Resistance Films)
In Lesotho—a highland country surrounded by South Africa—an artist named Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela takes discarded materials and transforms them into unique clothing and accessories. Teaching young people the benefits of recycling and re-creation, she calls her project “From Trash to Treasure.” With TeReo’s work as a starting point, this short film showcases a broader spirit of reimagination among artists in Lesotho, who use creativity to respond to entrenched social problems: Filmmakers show the need to end child marriage. Musicians write songs about climate change. Farmers collect seeds to protect endangered tree species. Designers use fashion to preserve traditional Basotho culture and challenge common perceptions of Africa. Profiling a variety of these innovators, FROM TRASH TO TREASURE: turning negatives into positives encourages us to take lessons from those who rethink, reuse, and reinvent in order to promote positive change.
Country of Production: Lesotho/USA/Brazil/Bulgaria
Year of Production: 2020
Running Time: 25
Black and White or Color: Color
Screen Format: 1080
Shooting Format: 24fps
Ratio: 16:9
Genre: Documentary
Director/Producer: iara lee
Editor/Cameraman: Dimo Petkov
FEATURING
Kaizer Matsumunyane
Khothatso Ranoosi
Kutloane Sehloho
Lehlohonolo Tlhaole
Lynor Mahase
Mamolefe Petlane
Meshu Mokitimi
Neo Kabi
Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela
Paul Rafoneke
Reekelitsoe Molapo
Relebohile Mats’ela
Retšelisitsoe Takana
Sibusiso Sadon Adontsi
Siphiwe Nzima Nts’ekhe
Tankiso Pita
Teboho Moekoa
Thabo Dripz Malefetsane
Tumisang Taabe
CREDITS
Production Coordinators: Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela and Reekelitsoe Molapo
Sound Mix and Master: Aleksey Antonov
Colour Correction: Gleb Katchuk
Production Team:
Amelia White
Andreea Midvighi
Candice Chantalou
Gabrielle Sferra
Mariam Otarashvili
Mark Engler
Rebecca Nathanson
Tamar Shvelidze
Virginia Estrada
Additional Photography:
The Hub students:
Selebalo “Sbi” Molefe
Thabo Mohloboli
Liteboho Molato
Lebohang Ntsane
Tsebo Makakole
Titles Design: Ivan Ivanov
SPECIAL THANKS
Alex Paullin
Bafokeng Tsilo
Bofhila Hlabauje Neko
Bryan Murphy
Christopher Volosevich
Disko Monaheng
Gerard Ntate
Habofane
Hanna Shelyag
Iseo Zoo
Jiggs Thorne
Keketso Ntongoa
Kenneth Sehloho
Kutlane
Lerato Mofoka
Libuseng Matsoso
Lineo Tsikoane
Louise Thompson
Lufefe Figlan
Malord Mefane
Mamohlakola ‘Beecee’ Letuka
Meri Hyöky
Mexrock Moroka
Moeketsi Putsoa
Mookho Moqhali
Mpho Lizzy Fusi
Nthaby Terah Mothibi
Paseka Mohale
Patrick Rose
Pee Lee
Phaketsane Makutoane
Q-Real
Ralichaba Tjaoane
Rebel Sol
Relebohile Mosotho
Rethabile Nthah Mosoeu
Rémi Beghin
Sbi Molefe
Selimo Thabane
Sotho sounds
Tamanda Mbendera
Tankiso Hantsi
Teboho Edkins
The Soil
Thomas Rakotsoana Hoko
Tjeka Ts’olo
Tsepo Pitso
Ts’iliso Rantho
ZhaZha Mangha
Zoo D. Mabeleng
MUSIC
‘Ambient Africa Drums’
‘Jamendo’
By dimitri leto – fdrun
‘Sets’oana’
By Siphiwe Nzima Nts’ekhe
‘Tsela Ya Bakgolo’
By Zha Zha Mangha
‘Armchair Stellar Crossing by Puddle of Infinity’
By WHAT PICTURES
‘Luminescence’
By Holar
‘Climate Song Live’
By Conservation music
‘Ngope la Musi’
By Sotho sounds
‘A Good Day On The African Planes’
By Doug Maxwell / Media Right Productions
‘Fear No Evil1’
By Sadon ft Chino
‘Still Here’
By Sadon
‘Eternal Space’
By Hazy
‘Little Drunk Quiet Floats’
By Puddle of Infinity
COPYRIGHT
Worldwide copyright: 2020 © Caipirinha Productions Inc.
(Photo courtesy of Ed Suter)