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.
I can’t wait for you to join me on this unforgettable journey!
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