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Rhino Man
Rhino Man poster: artwork by Marcel van Luit
Poster art by Marcel van Luit
Directed by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Edited by
  • Jacob Ross
  • Cristian Lora Troncoso
Music bySimón Wilson
Production
companies
  • Global Conservation Corps
  • Friendly Human
Release date
July 26, 2024
Running time
96 minutes
CountriesUnited States, South Africa
LanguagesEnglish, Xitsonga, Zulu, Afrikaans

Rhino Man is a feature-length documentary about South African field rangers protecting rhinos from poaching by crime syndicates. It's a film by the Global Conservation Corps produced by Friendly Human and directed by John Jurko II, Matt Lindenberg, and Daniel Roberts. It features the late, Anton Mzimba, the Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, who was murdered in 2022 as the film was being completed.[1]

Background

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With over 1,200 rhinos killed in a year, 2014 became the height of the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa.[2] It was also the year the ranger trainer, Martin Mthembu, died in a car accident. Martin trained rangers during his life while working with his business partners, Ruben and Marianne De Kock, at the African Field Ranger Training Services [3], which became a part of the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC).[4]

Co-director Matt Lindenberg studied at the Southern African Wildlife College and trained rangers with Martin and Ruben. When Martin died, Matt began efforts to continue his work by founding the Global Conservation Corps in 2015. The organization's first project, Rhino Man, focused on documenting the stories of rangers.[5]

Production

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The production of Rhino Man began in 2015 when South African conservationist, Matt Lindenberg of the Global Conservation Corps (GCC), partnered with Friendly Human, an Atlanta, Georgia based video production company.[6]

From 2015 to 2018, the team made five trips to South Africa, capturing interviews and developing the story. In February of 2018, John Jurko II took a position at Friendly Human. Two months later he began leading the completion of Rhino Man along with Matt.

In July of 2018, Matt and John raised funds through GCC for a two week production trip to South Africa.[7] On that trip they captured the ranger selection which appears in the film, along with additional footage of Anton Mzimba.[8] They also met filmmaker Phillip Hattingh, who donated archival footage of the late Martin Mthembu.[9]

In 2020, the Global Conservation Corps took full ownership of the project.[10] John Jurko II flew to South Africa in March to further develop the storyline when he was locked down with Matt for nine months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

The Rhino Man team partnered with composer Simón Wilson to create an original score for the film.[12] In addition, they partnered with Sipho Mchunu and Mandisa Dlanga, two musical artists from Johnny Clegg's South African bands, Juluka and Savuka,[13][14] respectively. Working with Sipho[15] and Mandisa[16], they created Rhino Man's title track, "Who Will Step Up?"[17][18]

Anton Mzimba murder

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On the night of July 26th, 2022, after months of threats, Anton Mzimba, was gunned down at his home in front of his family.[19] The killers also shot Anton's wife in the stomach, and took shots at his children.[20] Anton died on the way to the hospital due to his wounds. His wife made a full recovery. No one has been arrested for his murder as of August 27th, 2024.[21]

Anton's murder occurred as the production of Rhino Man was nearing completion.[22] The GCC team organized a fundraiser to support his family and future conservation education opportunities by creating the Anton Mzimba Education Trust (AMET).[23]

Following this event, Rhino Man gained the attention of Prince William of Wales, who previously spoke with Anton in November of 2021.[24] Eight months later, when Anton was murdered, Prince William tweeted, "I'm deeply saddened to learn of the killing of Anton Mzimba who I spoke to in November...Those responsible must swiftly be brought to justice."[25] Soon after John Jurko II and Matt Lindenberg were invited to the United for Wildlife Global Summit in London, where they spoke about the loss of Anton and his story encapsulated within the movie.[26]

Premieres

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Rhino Man had its world premiere at a private screening with Prince William of Wales and Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh hosted by the Prince's organization United for Wildlife, a program of The Royal Foundation.[24] This took place on June 13th, 2023 at the Cinema in the Battersea Power Station, London to an audience of 150 officials from finance, transportation, law enforcement, and NGOs working together to combat illegal wildlife trade.[27] Orlat Ndlovu, who took Anton Mzimba's place as the Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, spoke to the audience about the loss of Anton and the continued efforts of the rangers in the face of threats to their lives.[28]

On the 25th of September 2023, Rhino Man hosted a pre-release screening at the 2023 Jackson Wild Media Awards.[29][30]The film was also selected as a finalist in the categories of Conservation Long - Form and People & Nature.[31]

On the 2nd of March 2024, Rhino Man had its festival premiere at the Boulder International Film Festival at the Adventure Pavilion in Grace Commons church.[32]

The Rhino Man team organized a four-city international premiere tour with the rangers starting in Hoedspruit, South Africa on the 13th of June 2024.[33] They continued on to present at screenings in NYC, Toronto, and Atlanta.[34]

Rhino Man released on Apple TV, Google Play, and Vimeo on Demand on the 26th of July 2024 to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the death of Anton Mzimba. One week later on the 2nd of August 2024, Rhino Man was released on Amazon Prime Video to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the death of Martin Mthembu.[35][36]

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "Film About Murdered Wildlife Ranger Whose Story Moved Prince William Released on Anniversary of Death (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  2. ^ "South Africa confirms 2014 worst on record for rhino poaching - Wildlife Trade News from TRAFFIC". www.traffic.org. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  3. ^ ELI (2014-08-05). "We lost a great man, a great professional, a great ranger". Earth League International. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  4. ^ WildlifeCollege (2018-04-27). "Training in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India - Southern African Wildlife College". Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  5. ^ "Can Rhinos Survive Mankind? | Tufts Now". now.tufts.edu. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  6. ^ Day, World Rhino (2015-09-21). "'Rhino Man' Project Launched in Atlanta, GA". WORLD RHINO DAY. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ^ "Rhino Man's Tribute to a Friend and the Future". www.popmatters.com. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  8. ^ "Behind the scenes on RHINO MAN with Director John Jurko II". United for Wildlife. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  9. ^ "People of the Parks - Rhino Man with John Jurko II". National Park After Dark. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  10. ^ LHX, TRANSSION. "185: Behind the Scenes of Rhino Man with Director John Jurko II | Podcast | Boomplay". Boomplay Music - WebPlayer. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  11. ^ Wortman, Rebekah. ""Voices of Nature" Podcast | Episode 11: John Jurko". Global Conservation Corps. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  12. ^ admin (2023-06-15). "Rhino Man composer Simón Wilson - Exclusive Interview". Flickering Myth. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  13. ^ "Artist Profiles: Sipho MChunu | World Music Central". 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  14. ^ Bambalele, Patience (14 November 2017). "'We can't allow Clegg to retire'". Sowetan Live.
  15. ^ "Sipho Mchunu | Actor, Music Department". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  16. ^ "Mandisa Dlanga | Music Department". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  17. ^ Johnston, Susan (2024-04-11). ""Rhino Man" Documentary to Premiere with Royal Introduction at the 15th Annual New Media Film Festival®". New Media Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  18. ^ Who Will Step Up? (feat. Sipho Mchunu & Mandisa Dlanga) by Simón Wilson on Apple Music, 2024-07-09, retrieved 2024-08-27
  19. ^ Bhengu, Cebelihle. "'Whispers of death threats': Game ranger Anton Mzimba was in danger, but insisted on doing his job". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  20. ^ Bhengu, Cebelihle. "Manhunt for 3 men who shot, killed ranger Anton Mzimba and wounded wife". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  21. ^ Nuwer, Rachel (2022-08-16). "Killing of Ranger Protecting Rhinos Raises Fears for Conservation Efforts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  22. ^ Al Jazeera English (2022-10-11). Park ranger deaths: More than 100 wardens killed in South Africa. Retrieved 2024-08-26 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ McLemore, Andrew (2022-08-02). "In Wake of Murder, Group Seeks Aid for Family of Slain Wildlife Ranger". GearJunkie. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  24. ^ a b Vanderhoof, Erin (2023-06-14). "Prince William Honors a Slain Wildlife Ranger During a Rare Engagement With His Aunt Sophie". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  25. ^ Raiken, Amber (5 Aug 2022). "Prince William shares emotional tribute to wildlife ranger killed in South Africa". Independent.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Prince William Remembers 'Much-Missed' Queen Elizabeth in First Speech as Prince of Wales". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  27. ^ "The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Edinburgh attend screening of documentary film RHINO MAN". The Royal Family. 14 June 2023.
  28. ^ Cohen, Sophie (2023-06-13). "The Prince of Wales celebrates wildlife rangers at special screening of documentary film RHINO MAN". Royal Foundation. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  29. ^ "Pre-release Screening: RHINO MAN". Swap Card.
  30. ^ linzettacalitz (2023-09-06). "'Rhino Man' brings Lowveld rangers' daily battle to the world". Lowvelder. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  31. ^ "2023 Media Awards". Jackson Wild. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  32. ^ "2024 Boulder International Film Festival". biff2024.eventive.org. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  33. ^ newsherald (2024-06-20). "New film honours Mzimba's life". Letaba Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  34. ^ "Film About Murdered Wildlife Ranger Whose Story Moved Prince William Released on Anniversary of Death (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  35. ^ newsherald (2024-06-20). "New film honours Mzimba's life". Letaba Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  36. ^ Ghai, Rajat (2024-07-31). "World Ranger Day 2024: 'Rhino Man' details dangers faced by these wildlife protectors at every instant". Down To Earth. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  37. ^ Irons, Hazel (2024-08-08). "Wildscreen Panda Awards 2024 Nominees Revealed". Wildscreen. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  38. ^ Johnston, Susan (2024-06-07). "2024 Winners Revealed for 15th New Media Film Festival Los Angeles". New Media Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  39. ^ "Awards 2024 | Arizona International Film Festival". www.filmfestivalarizona.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  40. ^ "Memorial María Luisa - Certamen Internacional de Fotografía y Video de Montaña, Naturaleza y Aventura". www.memorialmarialuisa.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  41. ^ "2023 Media Awards". Jackson Wild. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  42. ^ Africa, Love. "African Conservation Awards - 2023 Winners". African Conservation Awards. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
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