No Man’s Land

Three-part documentary series
with stories on the sidelines of conflict

VRT Canvas
2019
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3-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Stories on the she-side of conflict

 

The documentary series No Man’s Land gives voice to women working for peace in conflict zones. Around the world, women are often seen as victims, but rarely as part of a solution.

We traveled to Cameroon, Nicaragua and Brazil to feature three stories about the she-side of conflict. Stories about women who keep hope for peace alive.

EPISODE I

Brazil

EPS. I – BRAZIL

Amazons: mulheres da luta

A documentary by
Jan De Deken & Thomas Ceulemans

In Brazil, indigenous leaders are fighting for the climate and their own survival. With radical-right president Jair Bolsonaro taking office, that struggle is more urgent than ever.

Illegal logging, forest fires and violent conflict are peaking. The president promised not to leave a square meter of land for indigenous people.

Jan De Deken and Thomas Ceulemans follow powerful indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara, and young Maura and Marta, who defend their territory in the Amazon forest and the Cerrado.

Trailer
Amazons: Mulheres da luta
Director
Jan De Deken
”
Brazilian ecosystems and indigenous people have never been more threatened than now. The whole world will be affected by what happens in Brazil. The world’s lung is on fire and accelerating global warming. Europe is, after China, Brazil’s most important trading partner and has the power to stop Brazil’s environmental and human rights violations.
EPISODE II

Nicaragua

EPS. II – NICARAGUA

Outspoken

A documentary by
Lisanne Corijn & Bram Van Roy

In April 2018, a thousand Nicaraguan citizens expressed their strong opposition to the government’s structural reforms. During this protest, dozens of lives were taken away and hundreds were arrested. Freedom of expression taken away …

Some strong women refuse to stop fighting for their country and their rights. They find the strength to keep going. Lisanne and Bram went to Nicaragua in search of the hidden acts of resistance.

Trailer
Outspoken
Director
Lisanne Corijn
”
The conflict in Nicaragua is unknown in Belgium. It hurts to realise that one of the fundamental human rights was violated: freedom of expression. This conflict still does not get the attention it needs, more specifically what the citizens are going through and how they find a way to deal with it. These women are so strong, brave and hopeful. They are an inspiration to all of us. We wanted to get their message across to people in Belgium.
EPISODE III

Cameroon

EPS. III – CAMEROON

A Violent Home

A documentary by
Thea Mathues & Sam Deckers

Since October 2016, Cameroon has faced a conflict between the English-speaking provinces and the French-speaking government. A protest by teachers and lawyers degenerated into violence by President Paul Biya’s government forces.

Thea and Sam follow two strong women who each try in their own way to find a solution to this problem. Esther Omam wants to get women around the negotiating table and help refugees maintain their dignity in the English provinces. And Edith Kah Walla who is developing a people’s movement with French and English speakers, side by side, against Paul Biya’s regime.

Trailer
A Violent Home
Director
Thea Mathues
”
Every year, the Norwegian Refugee Council produces a report listing the top 10 most unreported humanitarian crises. This year, the conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking provinces has the honour of being number one. Despite the fact that 35,000 Cameroonians have already fled to neighbouring Nigeria and more than 450,000 Cameroonians are seeking refuge in their own country, this news does not reach us. With this documentary, we wanted to change that. Not only to capture the crisis, but also to find a solution to this conflict and to give these women the voice they need.

CREDITS

No Man’s Land is a documentary series from Het Peloton
featuring episodes by Jan De Deken & Thomas Ceulemans,
Lisanne Corijn & Bram Van Roy and Thea Mathues & Sam Deckers.

TV BROADCAST

No Man’s Land was broadcast for 3 weeks
on Flemish television  (VRT Canvas)
within the Vranckx magazine.

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WITH THE SUPPORT OF

No Man’s Land is a project of Het Peloton, VRT Canvas and Esperas (a collaboration between Mothers for Peace, Mama Kivu and Make Mothers Matter) with support from the European Union through Frame Voice Report.

Special thanks to Elien Spillebeen.

Do you have an idea for a TV or film project, or would you like to share your thoughts with us?

Get in touch with Martijn.