Teboho Edkins’ Emotional Journey in New Documentary Short
Director Teboho Edkins and his father, producer Don Edkins, are set to unveil their deeply personal short film, an open field, at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) on November 19, 2023. This 38-minute documentary recounts their emotional journey following the tragic crash of a Boeing 737 MAX in March 2019, which claimed the lives of all 157 passengers, including Teboho’s younger brother, Max Thabiso Edkins.
Exploring Grief and Community
In response to their devastating loss, Teboho and Don Edkins traveled to the crash site near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hoping to find something tangible to help process their grief. The film’s synopsis highlights that they discovered a community where mourning is integral to cultural identity. The villagers, having also faced the impact of the disaster, welcomed the Edkins family and viewed the crash victims as cherished guests.
Teboho Edkins reflects on his initial reluctance to engage with the project, stating, “The first time I visited the crash site, a giant crater in an open field, was shortly after the crash in 2019. Grief-stricken, I showed the local villagers photos of my brother Max and realized that they had become the custodians of the site.” Over time, following extensive relationship-building efforts by Don, the family received exclusive permission from Ethiopian Airlines to film at the site in 2022.
Highlighting Injustice and Corporate Actions
Don Edkins emphasizes the film’s intention to highlight the injustices surrounding the crash, stating, “Having grown up under apartheid in South Africa, I had always looked at how documentary cinema could spotlight injustice and human rights.” He notes that the community’s collective mourning contrasted sharply with the actions of Boeing, which faced significant criticism for its flawed flight-control system and lack of transparency regarding pilot training—issues raised in official investigations.
The film features a mix of color and black-and-white cinematography, incorporating dialogue in both English and Amharic. It is co-produced by Carine Chichkowsky of Survivance, with cinematography by Jide Akinleminu and editing by Anne Fabini. This documentary is part of the IDFA 2023 Competition for Short Documentary program, where it aims to resonate with audiences through its poignant narrative.
As the world prepares to view an open field, a clip released by The Hollywood Reporter features an eyewitness recounting their experience of the crash. This emotional connection encapsulates the essence of the film, which Teboho describes as “The film I didn’t want to make.” Through this project, the Edkins family seeks not only to honor the memory of their loved one but also to shed light on the broader implications of the tragedy.
