IKOUAH : INTO THE HEART OF CAMEROONS RAINFOREST
A short cinematic film about rainforest conservation efforts by local community members in Cameroon, Africa
IKOUAH: THE STORY
I’m thrilled to share the story behind my recent short film Ikouah: Into The Heart Of Cameroons Rainforests, a documentary I started making in 2022 about forest conservation in the rainforests of Cameroon. This project was a true adventure, and I’m excited to take you along on the journey.
So, here’s how it all started. I was in Cameroon already because my partner, Maika, was deployed there to work with the UN. I tried to do some remote VFX Compositing work, but the internet was challenging at best. Apparently the speed-test was passed around VFX houses as a benchmark for how bad it can get. Accepting defeat, I started looking for other creative outlets, and that’s when fate intervened.
One evening, while watching the intense Euro finals match where England lost to Italy (man, that was a tough game), I struck up a conversation with Jaap Van Der Waarde from WWF. We got to talking, and it turned out we shared a common interest in telling the inspiring stories of community members involved in conservation work. The idea of collaborating on a short film took root, and after nearly 9 months of planning, it was time to embark on an incredible adventure.
To reach the protected area of the forest, I embarked on a two-day road trip to the village Ngoyla, to spend a few days with the local communities. The journey continued with a two-day hike into the jungle, cut off from the world with no phone signal, just dense lush greenery and a constant sounds of life, it was amazing.
Filming in the jungle was an experience like no other. I found myself constantly battling the elements, in particular those dreaded African Army Ants, who will stop at nothing. The best way I can describe their excruciating bites, would be like standing on broken glass.
The rainforest’s wet season brought frequent thunderstorms, so we dug trenches around our tents to prevent flooding. Surprisingly, the rain had its silver lining. It increased the chances of spotting wildlife, as animals sought out the clearings to dry off. It was a mesmerising sight, witnessing families of gorillas emerge from the foliage.
However, the rain also transformed the landscape. Rivers swelled, presenting unforeseen challenges. At one point, we had to cross a river, and the only way was to cut a tree to create a makeshift bridge. As I set up my camera to film the tree-cutting, a sudden scream alerted us that the tree was about to come crashing down. In that split second, I managed to dive out of harm’s way just in time. The massive tree thudded to the ground, missing me by mere inches.
Despite all the obstacles, every moment was worth it. The rainforest was simply stunning and the communities I met shared their incredible stories. Through this film, I hope to offer you a genuine glimpse into life at the heart of Cameroon’s Rainforests. It’s a world filled with wonders, challenges, and the tireless efforts of those who strive to protect and conserve it.
COLLABORATION
For Ikouah, I was thrilled to reunite with two incredible talents I had collaborated with on my previous film, Vantage: composer Ed Riman and sound designer Gareth Wood.
Ed Riman, brought his remarkable ability to blend cinematic grandeur with authentic sounds and samples from Central Africa. His experience composing for conservation projects such as Seimbang/Balance, a music project exploring humanities relationship with nature, added depth and resonance to the film’s score.
Gareth Wood, with his expertise in sound design, once again brought his meticulous attention to detail to the project, ensuring every auditory element complemented the film’s visual storytelling. Together, their contributions elevated Ikouah into a deeply immersive experience.
Gareth Wood, with his expertise in sound design, once again brought his meticulous attention to detail to the project, ensuring every auditory element seamlessly complemented the film’s visual storytelling. He dedicated significant time to researching sounds native to southern Cameroon, including specific bird songs and the calls of various fauna, to ensure the soundscape was both authentic and immersive.
Together, their contributions elevated Ikouah into a deeply immersive experience.
SCREENINGS
Ikouah: Into the Heart of Cameroon’s Rainforest was proudly featured at a number of film festivals, both screening in front of audiences and online.
One festival in particular that featured Ikouah, was the Global Landscapes Forum’s New Vision for Earth Film Festival 2024. This prestigious festival, held during COP29, showcases thought-provoking films on biodiversity, climate, and land rights, with a focus on landscape solutions from the Global South. The film was screened both online and in person at the Extreme Hangout pavilion in the Green Zone, offering a unique opportunity to bring its story of conservation and cultural heritage to a global audience.
After its screening at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Ikouah: Into the Heart of Cameroon’s Rainforest was invited to stream on Ecoflix, the world’s first nonprofit streaming platform dedicated to protecting wildlife and restoring the planet.
Ecoflix’s mission to educate, inspire, and empower action aligns perfectly with the film’s focus on conservation and cultural heritage. With 100% of Ecoflix’s profits going directly to support wildlife and conservation efforts, the streaming of Ikouah provides an opportunity to amplify its message of environmental preservation and help drive meaningful change on a global scale.
As vital as it was to bring the film to a global audience, it was equally important to share it with the communities that played an integral role in its creation. In the summer of 2024, a special screening was held in the village of Ngoyla. The event drew 200 attendees, including traditional rulers, administrative authorities, and members of the Baka and Bantu communities from Ngoyla and neighboring villages in the East Region of Cameroon.
Assamesa Laurent, one of the central figures in the film, attended the screening alongside his wife and one of his children. After the film, he delivered a heartfelt speech, saying, “I feel upbeat watching myself in this film. This will stick in my mind for the rest of my life.”
I can’t wait for you to join me on this unforgettable journey!
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