THE BLACK MAMBAS

An adventurous journey into the everyday life of the women rangers of the Kruger Park in South Africa, between animal defense, female emancipation and exploitation.

The Black Mambas are South Africa’s first all-female anti-poaching ranger unit in Kruger National Park. They are chosen by the Park authorities, at the top of which there are only white males. Their fight against poaching calls into question the role of women (and men) in communities and in South African society at large. The three protagonists couldn’t be more different. For Ntateko the ranger job is just the beginning: she wants to make a career in the environmental field. Qolile trains anti-poaching dogs to support her children while her husband is looking for work. Naledi is an idealist who considers the Black Mambas an example of female emancipation. The challenge is to make those affected by poverty and unemployment understand the importance of animal protection.

with

Lena Karbe – born and raised in St. Petersburg, she is a director living in Germany. She founded the Karbe Film production company. Black Mambas is her first feature film.

in collaborarion with Voce Donna e Carta di Pordenone