The 27-year-old took a journey across the United States in order to investigate the effects of fracking. Fracking is the process of drilling into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Then water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock, allowing the gas to flow to the head of the well, allowing gas extraction.
Minnaar, who is from the Karoo, is the acclaimed director of ‘Unearthed’, a film that aims to unite South Africans against the exploitation of the Karoo. It was because of this film that she was chosen to be part of 21 Icons Season III: A Future of a Nation, as well as for her work in the fracking arena.
“In essence, I’m a young South African storyteller eager to see a better tomorrow for my country. If I can do that using film and photography I’ll be very happy. Film is an incredible way to contribute to the world – you can effect social change and impact people’s lives,” she said when talking about how she was selected for the 21 Icons project.
Minnaar told principal photographer for the project, Gary Van Wyk that there are great responsibilities that come with being a documentary filmmaker: “It’s a powerful medium, and very persuasive. You have to work with integrity. I will always be a filmmaker who will have sleepless nights if I know I didn’t spend that day committed to the truth.”
During a portrait sitting she spoke about how she uses film as a mouthpiece for social causes: “Never before has a generation been so empowered. Our access to information is huge. Already we’re seeing the power of social media. I think it’s amazing we can actually use those tools for the good as well.”
Van Wyk explained the visual elements behind his portrait of her, which is titled ‘Consider This’: “Surrounded by multiple beds of fire, Minnaar is photographed in a quarry in Durbanville, standing defiantly amongst the flames. A reference to one of the harmful side-effects of fracking – where flammable methane gas infiltrates public water systems – Minnaar is imagined as the tireless protector of the land she inhabits, and a documentary filmmaker who will walk through the fire to uncover the truth.”
Jolynn Minnaar’s short film, ‘Unearthed’ will be flighted along with Van Wyk’s portrait of her on SABC 3 on 29 November 2015 at 7.27pm.
Details: www.21icons.com
