Journey to Nyae Nyae

Film

by Daniel Riesenfeld

Details

South Africa and Namibia / 2004 / 25mins / Documentary / Ju’hoansi and English

This is the story of N'Xau, the Bushman hero of the most successful African film ever made, The Gods Must be Crazy. “Discovered” by South African director Jamie Uys, N'Xau was catapulted into international fame when he was turned into a romantic Kalahari hunter. Uys insisted that this was the life that N'Xau actually led, when in fact he had been a school cook, and never in his life subsisted from hunting. Director Daniel Riesenfeld tracked N'Xau to his home community in the Kalahari, where he was living in obscurity, and recorded what would tragically be the last weeks of his life.

About the Director

Daniel Riesenfeld

Daniel Riesenfeld was born in California and is a graduate of UCLA film school. For several years he worked as a CBS photojournalist. Riesenfeld is known for his sensitive treatment of 'third world' themes. Learn More