Terra Mater – Mother Land

There she stands, confidently, like a goddess of technological junk, surrounded by endless mountains of rubbish, plastic, stench and rare earths. An angry appeal to the world to take responsibility for the consequences of capitalism, colonialism and environmental destruction in Africa.
by Kantarama Gahigiri
with Cheryl Isheja
Rwanda / Switzerland 2023 English, Swahili 10’ Colour

With

  • Cheryl Isheja (Earth Spirit)

Crew

Director Kantarama Gahigiri
Screenplay Kantarama Gahigiri
Cinematography Daniel Bleuer
Editing Jules Claude Gisler
Music Coco Em feat. Sisian & Kasiva
Sound Design Kathleen Moser
Sound Eugène Safali
Production Design Kevo Abbra
Costumes Kevo Abbra
Make-Up Valary Mdeizi
Production Manager Sylvia Aroka Abraham
Producers Kantarama Gahigiri, Daniel Bleuer

World sales

Produced by

Films du Léopard

RGBW

Kantarama Gahigiri

The Rwandan-Swiss screenwriter and director was born in Geneva and grew up in Switzerland and in various African countries. She has a degree in international relations. Although she was interested in art from a young age, she came to film relatively late. As a filmmaker, her work focuses on topics including identity, migration, empowerment and representation. She is an alumna of the Realness Residency (2018), La Fabrique Cinéma at Cannes (2019), Le Moulin d’Andé (2020), Berlinale Talents (2021), the Locarno Filmmakers Academy (2022) and the Atelier Grand Nord (2023).

Filmography

2017 Tapis rouge (Red Carpet); co-director: Frédéric Baillif 2019 Ethereality; short film 2022 Mother Earth; short film 2023 Terra Mater – Mother Land; short film

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023