Fading Footprints

Set on the outskirts of the Kalahari desert - the ancestral home to the indigenous KhoiSan people of Southern Africa - Fading Footprints tells the story of an ancient culture on the brink of extinction. The Ju|'hoansi tribe are one of over 30 dialects of indigenous San people who hold the precious wisdom of over 60 000 years. But now, they find themselves at a crossroad in time - stuck between the old world and the new. It is said that each time a San elder dies, the world loses an entire library worth of knowledge. To survive in this world, they must move from an old, nomadic way of life to a newer, modern society. But at what cost? Narrated by Xgao Gomme, this film is a captivating yet sobering account of how the past slips further out of reach for the San, and paves the way for a world altogether unknown.

  • Tessa Barlin
    Director
    Cassandra (2016), The Water Dancers (2017), Beyond The Fence (2019)
  • Tessa Barlin
    Producer
  • Moses Tau
    Cinematography
  • Dan Myburg
    Cinematography
  • Tessa Barlin
    Cinematography
  • Malcolm Rainers
    Editing
  • Niven Hans
    Editing
  • Marcia Buwa
    Original Score
  • Neil Darmon
    Original Score
  • Luyanda Shabalala
    Sound Design
  • Xgao Gomme
    Key Cast
  • Dam Komtsae
    Key Cast
  • Tjivita Xwii
    Key Cast
  • Nxuoka Kgao
    Key Cast
  • Xao Tuahakuaje
    Key Cast
  • Tinqe Nxau
    Key Cast
  • Nxisae Xwii
    Key Cast
  • Nxuoka Qham
    Key Cast
  • Xushe Xishee
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    17,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    Botswana
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tessa Barlin

Tessa Barlin is a National Geographic Explorer and an award-winning director, producer and cinematographer, most well known for her short film Beyond The Fence (2019) which won numerous international awards including Best SA Short Doc at Jozi International Film Festival and received a special mention at the United Nations on World Wildlife Day in 2020. Tessa is passionate about telling stories that lie at the intersection between people and nature. She strives to create a platform for indigenous voices, and believes that true conservation includes a reconnection between people and the natural world.

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Director Statement

This film was meant to be a year-long project but ended up taking almost three years to complete, and I believe that spending that extra time on the film was essential for crafting a story that felt as authentic as possible. Fading Footprints is a layered and nuanced portrayal of a culture in crisis. It is not meant to be a story of doom-and-gloom, nor is it meant to be unrealistically happy. Our aim was to portray the humanness of our characters in the most genuine way possible. Making this film felt like an enormous responsibility - one that has become a calling in life. My hope is that this film facilitates meaningful dialogue around what it means to be an indigenous person in today's world, and what responsibility the world has in preserving indigenous cultures and ancient wisdom.