The Black Mambas

Formed by a group of local, black women from communities surrounding the Kruger National Park, The Black Mambas is South Africa's first and only all-female, anti-poaching unit, the first line of defense in an attempt to rescue their country's threatened rhino population from the edge of extinction. They are the eyes and ears on the ground, patrolling over 150 square miles of dangerous bush, and monitoring its borders. With military training, yet unarmed, these women have reduced rhino poaching significantly in their area, but know they may have only won a small, short-term battle in a much larger war. Their mission now is to take their work well beyond the reserve, to the schools and communities across South Africa, to empower and employ other women, educate children and bring upliftment to underprivileged communities. Only then will they bring about lasting and sustainable change to their country.

  • Bruce Donnelly
    Director
    Alumbrones
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Reality, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 27, 2018
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Provincetown International Film Festival
    Provincetown
    United States
    June 14, 2019
    Massachusetts Premiere
    Best New England Short Film
  • American Documentary Film Festival
    Palm Springs
    United States
    April 9, 2018
    World
    Best International Short Film
  • Jozi Film Festival
    Johannesburg
    South Africa
    September 29, 2018
    South African Premiere
    Best International Short Documentary
  • Wellington Independent Film Festival
    Wellington
    New Zealand
    February 9, 2019
    New Zealand Premiere
    Best International Short Documentary
  • Edmonton International Film Festival

    Canada
    October 2, 2018
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DOC NYC
    New York
    United States
    November 11, 2018
    New York Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
    Missoula
    United States
    February 24, 2019
    Montana Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Bruce Donnelly

South African-born film director and producer, Bruce first pursued his film career studying at the University of Cape Town, and later at the New York Film Academy. Now based in New York City, Bruce is the founder of DKR Films. He has been the director and producer of a number of film, television and commercial projects, most recently for the Samsung Galaxy S8, a commercial produced in partnership with Discovery Channel.

His work also includes the highly-acclaimed Cuban documentary film Alumbrones, which follows a group of graphic artists in Havana and tells of their many inspirations and struggles on the island. The film premiered in Piccadilly Circus in London at the Raindance Film Festival and was selected by the United Nations, Global Peace and American Documentary Film Festivals among others, with special presentations and panels at Stanford and Harvard Universities. Alumbrones was recently incorporated into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Library collection.

Returning to film in his home country, Bruce most recently produced and directed a film entitled: The Black Mambas, telling the story of South Africa’s first and only all-female rhino anti-poaching unit. The film has received international acclaim, winning Best International Short Film at the Oscar-qualifying American Documentary Film Festival, Jozi Film Festival and Wellington Independent Film Festival.

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Director Statement

As filmmakers, we're always chasing after stories that are original and authentic. As a South African filmmaker, I've often challenged myself on this in the context of the country I'm from, what stories need telling, and what my contribution should be. For most viewers, their image of Africa is either negative, or extremely limited, which may be no fault of their own, as so much news and content that has emerged from the continent has forever been both these things. Discovering the Black Mambas, learning about these incredible women and the work they do, was an inspiration and in many ways a revelation, as I realized my passion for wanting to share the untold, remarkable stories from my country...of the people doing incredibly heroic and often unsung work to improve things for all around them. There is much to be excited and hopeful about, and it's these stories I'm inspired to share.