From Trash To Treasure - Turning Negatives Into Positives

24MIN

Availability ended 5/26/2021 3am PDT
In Lesotho—a highland country surrounded by South Africa—an artist named Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela takes discarded materials and transforms them into unique clothing and accessories. Teaching young people the benefits of recycling and re-creation, she calls her project “From Trash to Treasure.” With TeReo’s work as a starting point, this short film showcases a broader spirit of reimagination among artists in Lesotho, who use creativity to respond to entrenched social problems: Filmmakers show the need to end child marriage. Musicians write songs about climate change. Farmers collect seeds to protect endangered tree species. Designers use fashion to preserve traditional Basotho culture and challenge common perceptions of Africa. Profiling a variety of these innovators, FROM TRASH TO TREASURE: turning negatives into positives encourages us to take lessons from those who rethink, reuse, and reinvent in order to promote positive change.

Credits

Directed by Iara Lee

Production Company Cultures Of Resistance

Produced by Iara Lee

Cast Sibusiso Adontsi aka Sadon
Thabo Malefetsane aka Dripz
Neo Kabi
Lynor Mahase
Relebohile Mats’ela
Kaizer Matsumunyane
Teboho Moekoa
Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela
Reekelitsoe Molapo
Meshu Mokitimi
Siphiwe Nzima-Nts’ekhe
Mamolefe Petlane
Tankiso Pita
Paul Rafoneke
Khothatso Ranoosi
Kutloano Sehloho
Sesotho Media and Development
Sotho Sounds
Tumisang Taabe
Retšelisitsoe Takana
Lehlohonolo Tlhaole