Ghostland: The View of the Ju'Hoansi

Ghostland: The View of the Ju’Hoansi is a thought-provoking documentary film released in 2016. It blows a gust of fresh air into the observational documentary genre, presenting an engaging and profound story set beyond the restrictive confines of the ‘developed’ world. Directed by German filmmaker Simon Stadler, the film brings forward the lesser-explored cultural, societal, and personal perspectives of an almost untouched civilization in Africa – The Ju'Hoansi.

The Ju'Hoansi, a unique group of the San people, commonly known as Bushmen, are probably the last inhabitants in their land who have still partly retained an existence as hunter-gatherers. They live in the Kalahari Desert, which spans areas of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Ghostland: The View of the Ju’Hoansi strives to unveil the cultural richness and societal structure of this mesmerizing tribe, offering the world a glimpse into their world beyond the stereotypes and assumptions.

The film commences in the vast beauty of Namibia's Kalahari Desert, where the Ju'Hoansi have been residing for countless years. Their lifestyle is based on traditions and practices that trace back tens of thousands of years, making their culture one of the oldest on the planet. Using this as a backdrop, Stadler develops intimate portrayals of individual tribe members, reflecting their customs, day-to-day activities, and age-old traditions – from hunting to storytelling.

However, Stadler goes a step further from simply giving an insider's view of the Ju'Hoansi. The film embarks on an adventure where several tribe members leave their homeland for the first time to visit the developed world. These individuals interact with differing environments – from the concrete jungles of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, to bustling European societies. During these travels, the filmmakers gently explore the impact on the Ju'Hoansi as they witness 'modern' cultures and technological advancements, meticulously drawing contrasts and comparisons in perceptions and preconceptions.

In an arresting twist of perspective, Ghostland: The View of the Ju’Hoansi manages to convert the familiar into the strange for its viewers. While the Ju'Hoansi are bemused and fascinated by new technologies, urban landscapes, and different clothing styles, these everyday elements we take for granted become avenues of surprise and wonder. The sharp contrast between their traditional lifestyle and the urbanity they encounter plays out in humorous, poignant, and thought-provoking exchanges, casting light on our own societies through a lens that we seldom look through.

Stadler's skillful direction allows the movie to unfold in an unfettered, organic way. His intimate, empathetic, and authentic approach makes the film deeply humane rather than exotic or voyeuristic. It invites viewers to step back and observe their own technologically dependent lives from the standpoint of the Ju'Hoansi, whose existence is firmly rooted in nature and community bonds.

Ghostland: The View of the Ju'Hoansi refrains from romanticizing the tribe's traditional existence or belittling the modern world's supposed progress. Instead, it calls upon the viewer to assess the societal norms of both worlds critically, fostering understanding, empathy, and respect. It prevents the Ju’Hoansi from being reduced to one-dimensional imaginations, offering a nuanced representation that pulls the audience out of their comfort zone and provokes them to think about the subjective meaning of wealth, development, and happiness.

Many scenes touch upon poignant themes such as the tourism-gentrified ‘ethnic entertainment’ that the Ju'Hoansi are often exposed to and their subsequent struggle to retain their cultural identity while caught in a dilemma of economic necessity. It opens up a dialogue on the contemporary challenges faced by indigenous groups in a globalizing world, increasing understanding about these struggles that are largely unnoticed in the discourse of modern society.

In capturing an emotive narrative, Ghostland: The View of the Ju’Hoansi has been lauded for its cinematography, evoking a sense of wonder for the exquisite landscapes that the Ju'Hoansi inhabit and portraying rich visual details of their life patterns.

Ghostland: The View of the Ju’Hoansi invites you to journey beyond the dance of familiar urbanity, offering a thoughtful expedition into the lives, aspirations, and perceptions of a people deeply connected to their ancestral traditions. It doesn’t offer answers, but instead, leaves its audience with thought-inducing questions about the nature of progress, culture, and the very essence of being human. It’s a reflective lens that prompts us to acknowledge and respect the incredible diversity defining our world, lifting the veil of ignorance and shining a light on the shadows of our collective imagination.