The story behind the film 'an open field' is a powerful and deeply personal journey. It begins with a tragedy that shook the world and a family's quest for closure.
A Devastating Loss
In a shocking incident, a Boeing 737 MAX plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in March 2019, claiming the lives of all 157 passengers, including Max Thabiso Edkins, the younger brother of director Teboho Edkins. This devastating loss prompted Teboho and his father, Don Edkins, to embark on a unique pilgrimage to the crash site, seeking solace and understanding.
But here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. As they arrive at the site, they encounter a community whose lives have been forever altered by the tragedy. The villagers, in a remarkable display of empathy, consider the crash victims as visiting guests, embracing them as family. This stark contrast between the villagers' compassion and Boeing's controversial response is at the heart of the film.
A Filmmaker's Reluctant Journey
Teboho Edkins, initially reluctant to engage with the project, found himself drawn to the site and the people who had become the guardians of his brother's memory. He reveals, "I showed the local villagers photos of my brother Max, and they had unknowingly become the caretakers of his final resting place." This realization sparked a complex emotional journey for Teboho, who had previously wanted no part in his father's film endeavor.
And this is the part most people miss—the personal struggle of a filmmaker grappling with his own grief and the weight of telling a story that is so deeply intertwined with his family's tragedy. Teboho's father, Don, a seasoned documentary producer, saw the potential for a film that would expose the injustices that led to the crash. But Teboho's involvement was far from certain.
A Controversial Interpretation?
Don Edkins' vision for the film was clear: to highlight the human cost of Boeing's actions, which have been widely criticized for prioritizing profit over safety. But is this a one-sided interpretation? The film invites viewers to consider the complexities of corporate responsibility and the impact of such tragedies on communities.
The exclusive clip from 'an open field' reveals a firsthand account of the plane crash, followed by a poignant note from Teboho Edkins, stating, "The film I didn't want to make." This statement raises intriguing questions: What compelled Teboho to eventually participate? How does the film navigate the delicate balance between personal grief and public outrage? And does it offer a nuanced perspective on the tragedy, or is it a biased portrayal?
The film, a South African, French, and German collaboration, is set to premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in 2025, leaving audiences with much to anticipate and discuss.
