Goldman Environmental Prize winner Jonathan Deal to feature in upcoming documentary

A feature length picture featuring 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 entitled What's The Frack? began nine months ago on locations which included the Karoo, Cape Town and Gauteng.

The film is being produced by emerging production house VintAge Media, which has operations in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.


Jonathan Deal's wife Sharon on set at their family house in the Karoo talks about how she supports her husband and Deal was spending most the time away from the family and on the campaign trail

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A trailer for the documentary was launched was launched online and interest was rapid.

Deal, who is the main focus on the film, rose to international limelight earlier in April when he was awarded the acclaimed Goldman Environmental Prize in the US.

This followed more than two years of his dogged successful campaign under his organisation Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) in preventing fracking in the Karoo.

Film producer Francis Hweshe said this was his debut feature length film.

"By turning the lenses on Jonathan Deal, we are trying to position the spotlight on South Africa, which finds itself in the eye of an environmental typhoon currently dividing neighbours, citizens and governments alike globally.


Goldman Environmental Prize Winner and South African anti-fracking activist Jonathan being  interviewed about fracking on set in the Karoo

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"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.
 
"It's really been an honour to be part of Jonathan Deal's unwavering yet tough journey he tries to stop the gas rush in the Karoo".

Hweshe said the film has thus far been entirely financed by the production crew comprising himself, director Davison Mudzingwa and cinematographer Themba Vilakazi.

"Once we realised we had a great story on our hands, we got the cameras rolling. Our personal savings got the wheels of production turning," he added.

Mudzingwa said: "This is layered global story that will be fronted by Jonathan Deal. A host of other characters will balance this fracking discourse. "Most importantly, the cinematography will tell a parallel story of an unsuspecting serene land of the Karoo awaiting an uncertain fate."

Watch Trailer

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www.whatsthefrack.co.za

For further information and interviews:
Francis Hweshe (Producer) - +27 73 7127706
Email: francisj.hweshe@gmail.com

Davison Mudzingwa (Director) - +27 72 249 2414
 Email: davvymax@gmail.com