CAUSE: Mega Mining Awareness
We sought to raise awareness about the harmful effects of mega mining through a short, animated film. This project aimed to engage audiences who might not typically pay attention to environmental issues or documentaries, especially those impacted by the social and environmental consequences of mining.
Mega mining extracts precious metals but at a heavy cost. Its methods involve the use of toxic substances and demand vast amounts of water and energy, causing irreversible environmental damage. It also leads to violence in local communities. Our challenge was to create a film that would bring attention to these harmful effects and reach an audience less likely to engage with such topics.
We chose to tell the story through a traditional Argentinian Payada, a form of storytelling in song. This particular Payada takes place near a mine in a poisoned landscape, where life fades and the author fears that the devil is coming to Earth.
The environment plays a central role in the narrative. We incorporated real plants into scale models to give authenticity, using a bonsai tree, tiny cacti, flowers, and branches to recreate the landscape. The skies were hand-painted backdrops to enhance the setting’s dramatic feel.
We created masks and costumes for the characters and filmed them against a greenscreen, aligning camera movements and lighting with the background shots. Both the characters and backgrounds were filmed in slow motion, adding weight and a cinematic feel to the final piece.
The short film was released alongside an animated documentary co-written with activist and author Nicolás Gutman, based on his book that explains how mega mining operates in Argentina.
This self-managed project enabled us to build strong connections with environmental movements across Argentina. Both the short film and the documentary became essential tools for activists and teachers, helping to spread awareness and promote their messages.
Since its release in 2014, the project has reached hundreds of thousands of viewers and made a notable impact in both environmental and audiovisual circles. The short film and documentary have won over 50 awards at international festivals, further amplifying their reach and influence.
We sought to raise awareness about the harmful effects of mega mining through a short, animated film. This project aimed to engage audiences who might not typically pay attention to environmental issues or documentaries, especially those impacted by the social and environmental consequences of mining.
We chose to tell the story through a traditional Argentinian Payada, a form of storytelling in song. This particular Payada takes place near a mine in a poisoned landscape, where life fades and the author fears that the devil is coming to Earth.
The environment plays a central role in the narrative. We incorporated real plants into scale models to give authenticity, using a bonsai tree, tiny cacti, flowers, and branches to recreate the landscape. The skies were hand-painted backdrops to enhance the setting’s dramatic feel.
We created masks and costumes for the characters and filmed them against a greenscreen, aligning camera movements and lighting with the background shots. Both the characters and backgrounds were filmed in slow motion, adding weight and a cinematic feel to the final piece.
This self-managed project enabled us to build strong connections with environmental movements across Argentina. Both the short film and the documentary became essential tools for activists and teachers, helping to spread awareness and promote their messages.
Since its release in 2014, the project has reached hundreds of thousands of viewers and made a notable impact in both environmental and audiovisual circles. The short film and documentary have won over 50 awards at international festivals, further amplifying their reach and influence.
England, Europe, Canada, South Africa
6 Marryat Square, London, SW66UA
Roydon Turner | Founder & CCO
Roydon@allgoodco.org
Byron Grant | Executive Producer
Byron@allgoodco.org
Argentina, North & South America, Asia
Las Retamas 20353, Bariloche
www.simbiosis.cc
Carlos@simbiosis.cc