Zulu Wilderness: Shadow and Soul' - A narrative feature film interweaved with non-fiction actuality

‘Zulu Wilderness: Shadow and Soul’

A narrative feature film interweaved with non-fiction actuality

Synopsis: ‘Zulu Wilderness: Shadow and Soul’

“I am a pilgrim of the future on my way back from a journey made entirely in the past”. These words by
Teilhard de Chardin closely describe the journey of the man who pioneered South Africa’s most visionary and
challenging conservation and social programmes.

PHUZAMOYA FARM, KARKLOOF VALLEY, SOUTH AFRICA – 2013

Acclaimed international conservationist, Dr. Ian Player DMS, 86 years old, relentlessly continues to pursue
his life mission to protect the wilderness and precious wildlife; and to nurture respect and understanding
between people. More often than not he has to face overwhelming odds and battles to change prevailing
thought through sheer force of will.

He passionately believes that people and nature are inseparable “Nature has the capacity to heal us...” he
tells whoever is there to listen. And there are many who do and make a ‘pilgrimage’ to Phuzamoya to
interview him and consult with Dr. Player about the horrific poaching crisis in Africa.

His tremendous ‘Operation Rhino’ achievement in the 1960’s of saving the oldest land mammal – the [white]
rhinoceros from the brink of extinction is now shattered by the drastic increase since 2008 in a violent and
cruel military-like poaching assault controlled by global crime syndicates.

Fuelled by beliefs in traditional Eastern medicine that the rhino horn has powerful medicinal qualities and
today also regarded as a status symbol amongst a growing number of affluent young people in Vietnam and
China, rhino horn has surpassed the price of gold and illegal drugs on the black market and is at the centre of
a bloody poaching war.

With close to 700 rhino poached in 2012 in South Africa alone, forecasts for 2013 greatly exceed this figure
already. In that rate, many experts say, the rhino, one of Africa’s BIG FIVE, will become extinct from the wild
within few years.

But for Ian, an Honorary Member of the South African Association of Jungian Analysts, the poaching is a
symptom of a much deeper malaise. “At one time we were close to nature but now there is an enormous
split between humanity and the natural world…” says Ian and quotes C.G. Jung: “…We have lost a world that
once pulsed with our blood, breathed with our breath…” he adds his interpretation “…we have lost that
sacred connection with the earth… a new age has already dawned and all that is noble in humanity is
threatened by the majority’s careless disregard for the earth and what it provides…”

It was Ian’s unlikely friendship, in the shadows of Apartheid, with Magqubu Ntombela, a wise ‘old order’
Zulu, and Ian’s wilderness experience that led him on a journey within and without: a spiritual quest
immersed in the soul and spirit of wild Africa.

‘Zulu Wilderness: Shadow and Soul’ is Ian Player’s inspirational story of friendship, faith and perseverance
set against the magnificent backdrop of KwaZulu-Natal’s enchanted wilderness and majestic wildlife.

Copyright @ 2013 Ronit Shapiro. All rights reserved. The images courtesy of ICP Archives.                      2

SOUTH AFRICA – 1950

Early days of Apartheid. Adventurer at heart, Ian Player, age 23, is deeply frustrated in an uninspiring factory
job. He has no qualifications, no money and no direction; a ‘lost soul’. In spite of a childhood knee injury
made worse during WWII, he embarks on an inconceivable life-risking canoe journey down the unexplored
wild rivers of ‘The Valley of a Thousand Hills’ in Zululand. He faces enormous physical trials and nearly loses
his life. In an electrifying thunder and lightning storm, exposed to the elements, he undergoes a powerful
wilderness experience that thrills him and ignites his sunken soul. Barely surviving the ordeal, he is
determined to complete the journey and is welcomed as a hero at the finish line only to find out that he has
lost his job and he is financially broke.

He takes up a low paying job as a game ranger, where he meets Magqubu Ntombela, a Zulu game guard and
a devoted member of the Shembe church. Magqubu, a spiritual man living in total harmony with nature, is a
descendent of the indigenous first people of Southern Africa. His life is full of hardship but his spirit is
uplifting. An unlikely but remarkable friendship develops between the two men, whose backgrounds are
vastly different. In South Africa, ruled by the Apartheid regime, their friendship is unacceptable and they
experience humiliating insults.

This is the beginning of an enduring journey of upheaval and struggle, steeped in physical threats and
internal predicaments. Ian, supported by Magqubu and his fellow rangers, leads the dangerous combat
against brutal poachers who ruthlessly kill the near extinct rhino and other precious wildlife. He faces
abusive and hostile opposition from government officials, cattle ranchers, squatters and his superiors who
disapprove of his highly controversial conservation and social schemes. But his determined spirit, great sense
of humour and the heart-warming friendship with Magqubu infuse him with an unbeatable strength.

Whilst the ‘call for action’ dominates Ian’s life, he finds himself drawn intensely into the mysteries of the
spiritual realms, so poignant in the African wilderness. His soul is further tormented as he faces his own ‘dark
shadow’, striving to overcome deeply embedded prejudices. Heated confrontation with Magqubu and a
death-facing encounter with a Black Mamba jolt him, and his life changes forever. Yet his biggest challenge
of all awaits him on the path ahead, a daunting challenge that few have attempted and no one has yet
achieved.

Few decades later, PRESENT DAY – 2013, Ian’s, once controversial, vision and ideas to shift the prevailing
worldview of man’s superiority over nature by taking people out to the wild nature to experience true
wilderness, are now widely accepted worldwide. His legacy continues through the ‘Wilderness Leadership
School’ and its sister organisations. However, the rapid rate of change on the planet means that humans and
co-existing species are facing ever-growing challenges and our future is less than secure. Can we influence
our future? We can, we can change things, it is our choice. “…I have been very fortunate to work with some
truly wonderful people. I have seen what really dedicated people can do…” says Ian.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe.

Copyright @ 2013 Ronit Shapiro. All rights reserved. The images courtesy of ICP Archives.                    3

Trailer – Sponsorship Opportunity

Background:

A trailer is now being developed for the purpose of pitching the ‘Zulu Wilderness’ film project to potential
co-producing partners, collaborators and investors, in South Africa, UK, US and possibly other countries, both
individual and corporate investors. The trailer intends to build excitement, grab attention, touch the
emotions and give a glimpse into the ‘Zulu Wilderness’ world.

Filming will take place in July 15-18 at Dr. Ian Player’s farm in the Karkloof valley, KZN, South Africa. Filming
will also take place in and around Howick and the Umgeni valley. This footage will be augmented with
archival material.

Trailer Length: 2-3 minutes

Music: Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams’ music will be featured in the trailer.

The Opportunity:

The opportunity is for an individual or an organisation/ corporate to become a sponsor of the trailer. As a
standalone sponsorship opportunity the sponsor will get a full slide credit in the trailer or the opportunity to
present a short promotional clip, and will be allowed to use the trailer in his promotional communications.

If a sponsor is interested in long term collaboration with the film project there are other incentives which
will materialise in the long run as the film is being developed, goes into production and released:

          The sponsorship could be considered as an investment in the film, so the sponsor will get ‘shares’ in
           the film project overall.
          Links from the film’s website to the sponsor’s website and presence in the film’s social networks
          The sponsor could be featured in additional online/ printed communications material related to the
           film
          A special area in the film’s website will be exclusive area for sponsors/ investors and will provide
           insight into all activity surrounding the film e.g. behind the scenes, content from ‘the making of’ etc.
          Investor hospitality on set
          Credit in the film itself
          Copies of the film’s DVD
          VIP invitation to the film premier
Etc.

The financial contribution: the full sponsorship package is £2,500 however a customised package can be
developed according to the sponsor’s needs and accordingly the costs could be lower.

Please contact Ronit Shapiro (contact details on the next page) to discuss your preferences and develop a
customised sponsorship package to suit your needs.

Copyright @ 2013 Ronit Shapiro. All rights reserved. The images courtesy of ICP Archives.                       4

For further details please contact:

Ronit Shapiro (Mrs.)
CEO and Founder
One Nature Films
32 Hendon Avenue
London
N3 1UE
UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 83711525
Mobile: +44 (0)7971196446

Copyright @ 2013 Ronit Shapiro. All rights reserved. The images courtesy of ICP Archives.   5