The Nobel Prize, National Geographic Documentary Films and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel have collaborated on a 5-part short documentary series, celebrating the ongoing impact and influence of Nobel Peace Prize laureates around the world. On 20 May, the 5 films will be launched simultaneously on the National Geographic channel and on YouTube.
The films follow an array of inspiring characters and organisations. A team of female Yazidi deminers in Iraq attempting to clear their land of mines left behind by ISIS. A Rohingya refugee who has taken it upon himself to reunite family members torn apart by conflict in the world’s largest refugee camp. A man building prosthetic legs to help victims of war walk again in South Sudan. A team of scientists on an extraordinary mission in Mozambique to help better our understanding of climate change. A life-changing orchestra in South Africa using music to bring the country together. All are inspired by Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
“Working with The Nobel Prize on this series of films has given me the opportunity to film with some of the most extraordinary and heroic people I’ve ever met. It has been very rewarding to witness how the Nobel Peace Prize laureates continue to inspire and support people all over the world today,” says Director Orlando von Einsiedel.
“The films shed light on how Nobel Peace Prize laureates are shaping our world with dedication and compassion, transforming the lives of people. The collaboration with Academy Award-winning director Orlando von Einsiedel and National Geographic is an exciting way of reaching a new global audience with a strong message: we can all contribute to a better world in line with the legacy of Alfred Nobel,” says Laura Sprechmann, CEO of Nobel Media.
The films will be distributed on the National Geographic YouTube channel: YouTube.com/natgeo.
The films can also be seen on nobelprize.org, the official website of the Nobel Prize.
About the films
In association with the Nobel Prize and distributed by National Geographic Documentary Films, the five Orlando von Einsiedel-directed short documentaries, produced by Grain Media and Rideback, each gives centre stage to the legacy of a different Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Into the Fire
In an area of Iraq destroyed by ISIS, Hana Khider leads an all-female team of Yazidi deminers in their attempts to clear the land of mines. Their job involves painstakingly searching for booby traps in bombed out buildings and fields, where one wrong move means certain death. Hana works for the Mines Advisory Group, an organisation who are part of the ‘International Campaign to Ban Landmines’, a coalition awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Into the Fire premiered at Telluride Film Festival 2019.
Lost and Found
In the chaos of the world’s largest refugee camp, Kamal Hussein is a beacon of hope. From his small ramshackle hut, and armed only with a microphone, he has taken it upon himself to try and reunite the thousands of Rohingya families who have been torn apart by violence and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. However, in finding lost family members and bringing them back together, he is not just helping them. He is also finding peace for himself. Kamal’s work is funded by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. Lost and Found premiered at Telluride Film Festival 2019, and won the Audience Award at AFI Fest 2019.
The Lost Forest
An international team of scientists and explorers go on an extraordinary mission in Mozambique to reach a forest that no human has set foot in. The team, including some of the world’s foremost climate change experts, aims to collect data from the forest to help in our understanding of how climate change is affecting our planet. But the forest sits atop a mountain, and to reach it, the team must first climb a sheer 100m wall of rock. The scientist’s work is based on research conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. The Lost Forest will receive its world premiere on the National Geographic YouTube Channel on May 20th.
Still Human
In war-torn South Sudan, Makur Diet knows all too well the horror of conflict. Over ten years ago, he lost his leg to a bullet. Despairing for his future, Makur was close to giving up, until one day he was given a prosthetic leg, and with it a new lease of life. Makur now devotes his life to helping others who have been injured in the war to walk again.
Makur works at an International Committee of the Red Cross centre in South Sudan. The ICRC have received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1917, 1944 and 1963. Still Human will receive its world premiere on the National Geographic YouTube Channel on May 20th.
An Unfinished Symphony
The Miagi Orchestra is a South African orchestra dedicated to helping the nation overcome decades of violence, conflict and division through the power of music. The film follows two of its musicians: Tsepo Pooe, who grew up in Soweto Township; and Lize Schaap, who grew up in wealthy Pretoria. Through their eyes, and differing experiences of growing up in South Africa, we understand the enormous impact apartheid continues to have, but also see hope for a brighter future for the country. The Miagi Orchestra’s mission is inspired by the work and legacy of Nelson Mandela, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. An Unfinished Symphony will receive its world premiere on the National Geographic YouTube Channel on May 20th.