Documentary
This is a selection of documentaries Dewald Aukema has worked on. Over 300 documentaries have been photographed over the last 40 years.
2019
NetWorld
A 3 x 1 hour series which explores how the structure of social networks affects how far and fast ideas have flowed through them from the Reformation and witch hunts to the gaint social network platforms of today.
Director: Adrian Pennink for PBS USA
AIB Best International Affairs Documentary nomination
2015
Calling Blighty
Exploring unique 35mm film post cards made in Burma during the 2nd World War for the soldiers families back in the UK.
Director: Paul Berczeller for Ch4 UK
Prison Night
Prisoners in the UK vote for the best prison movie of all time. We look at the story behind these films.
Director: Rob Davies for Ch4 UK
2013
Martin Luther King and the March on Washington
Commemorating the Civil Rights Movement's March on Washington, a pivotal moment in the history of the civil rights struggle in the USA.
Director: John Akomfrah Producers: David Lawson for BBC 2
Bafta nomination 2014
The Stuart Hall Project
A homage to Stuart Hall, one of Britians foremost cultural theorists.
Director: John Akomfrah for Smoking Dogs Films
Games of Stone
Five films on a group of gem hunters/traders who travel the planet in search of extraordinary gems
Directors: Alastair Cooke, Jim Nally and Tom Pollock
2012
Fit to Rule
Three films investigating whether historically monarchs in the United Kingdom were physically and mentally capable of ruling.
Directors: Eleanore Scoones and Paul Bergzellar for Silver River Productions/BBC 2
King of Rocks
Pilot film that follows the mad adventures of a larger than life group of gem hunters persueing undiscovered gems around the globe.
Director: Alastair Cooke/Double Act for Discovery USA
Dead Famous DNA
Three one hour films following the sourcing of the DNA and eventual drawing of the complete Genome of various world leaders, great artists and scientists.
Director: Rob Davies/Double Act for Ch4 UK
2011
From Tao to Mao
Three part series on the history and contemporary emergence of China as a super power.
Director: Adrian Pennink Producer: Melanie Fall Presenter: Prof Niall Ferguson
2010
Kissinger
This 90 min feature documentary offers a unique insight into the mind and personality of Henry Kissinger, whose profound and often controversial influance on the world is undenaiable.
Director: Adrian Pennink Producer: Melanie Fall for National Geographic
Best documentary New York Film Festival 2011
Western Civilization
Six part series on the rise and demise of Western Civilisation.
Director:Adrian Pennink Producer: Melanie Fall for Ch4 UK Presented by Prof Niall Ferguson
2009
The Red Lion
A unique portrait of Britian viewed through it's pub culture.
Director: Sue Bourne for Ch4 UK
Ghost of Exxon Valdez
Revisiting the social and environmental implications of this disaster 20 years on.
Director: John Akomfrah Producer: David Lawson for BBC 2
2008
Ascent of Money
Six one hour films on the history of money.
Driector: Adrian Pennink Producer: Melany Fall for Ch4 Presented by Prof Niall Ferguson
International Emmy Award for Best Documentary
Harlem in Montmarte
A 90 min film looking at the development of Jazz in 1920's Paris.
Director: Dante James Producer: Marge Smilow for WNET Channel 13 New York
Calvet
A 90 min feature doc on the extraordinary metamorphoses from unreconstructed bad guy to successful artist that is the life of Jean Marc Calvet.
Director: Dominic Allan
Bafta Nomination 2012
2007
My Street
Exploring the life's of various families and people living in the same street as the director, Sue Bourne.
Director: Sue Bourne for Ch4 UK
Broadcast Award. Best single documentary 2009
For which I am Prepared to Die
A personal journey for director Lindy Wilson, unravelling the inspirational story of her uncle, Roger Bushell, one of the key figures in the great escape during WW2.
Director: Lindy Wilson for BBC Storyville
Music Instinct
Three one hour films on the intricate and poetic relationship between science and music.
Director: Elena Mannes Producer: Marge Smillow for WNET Channel 13 New York
Grand Prix Pariscience "Ast-Ville de Paris"
2006
Marilyn Monroe - Still Life
The life of this 20th century icon though the lenses of some of the greatest photographers of all time.
Director: Gail Levin for American Masters WNET Channel 13 New York
Clash
Three one hour films exploring the history of global religious conflict.
Director: Adrian Pennink for BBC2
21Up South Africa
The third film of the 7Up seies in South Africa.
Director: Angus Gibson for Granada TV UK
2005
Interrogation
A 90 min film delving into the dark history of interrogation and torture world wide.
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
War of the World
Six one hour films on the history and causes of conflict in the 20th Century.
Director: Adrian Pennink Presenter: Niall Ferguson for Ch4 UK
The Soweto Uprising
Commemorating the June 16 1976 Youth Uprising in South Africa 30 years later.
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
2004
Francis Bacon
The work and life of Francis Bacon.
Director: Adam Low for BBC Arena
Emmy Nomination
Empire Warriors - Aden
One of the films in a series looking at the global impact of Empire.
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
James Dean - Sense Memories
The life and times of James Dean.
Director: Gail Levin for American Masters WNET Channel 13 New York
The Family
Exploring the lifes of a young Schizophrenia sufferer and his family.
Director: Ewan Marshall for BBC2
In the footsteps of Churchill
A series of films following Wiston Churchills life.
Director: Harvey Lilly for BBC1
2003
The work and life of Edgar Degas, focussing on his ballet works.
Director: Misha Scorer Producer: Marge Smilow for WNET Channel 13 New York, Arte France and BBC2
2003 Peabody award, Spring 2004 Spring Golden Eagle award, Grand Prix de la Qualite de L'Image Festival International du Film, Pedagogique 2004
It will Never Last
Love across global cultures.
Director: Kate Townsend for Ch4 UK
The Last Tommy
Two one hour films on the last surviving Tommy's who fought in WW1.
Director: Harvey Lilly for BBC1
2002
Flight 587
An anatomy of an air disaster.
Director: Adrian Pennink for BBC2
Great Britons - John lennon
Director: Kate Townsend BBC1
The Life and Times of Count Luchino Visconti
Director: Adam Low for Arena BBC2
Emmy Award for best Arts Documentary 2003
Albert
A dramatised documentary on Prince Albert.
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
Empire
Two one hour films out of a series of six on the British Empire. Africa.
Director: Adrian Pennink for Blakeway/Ch4 Presenter: Niall Ferguson
2001
Love
Remarkable love stories
Director: Sue Bourne for Ch4 UK
Murder in Paradise
A dramadoc exploring the bizarre murder within an expat Englidh Family living in South Africa.
Director: James Kent for Ch4 UK
Undercover Cops
Two one hour drama-docs looking at the real undercover activities of the police in the UK today.
Director: Edmund Coultard for Blast Films/Ch4 UK
The Making of the Misfits
A 90 min documentary exploring the process behind producing "The Misfits".
Director: Gail Levin Producer: Marge Smilow for WNET Ch13 New York
Digitopia
One man living between the analogue and digital worlds
Director: John Akomfrah for Smoking Dogs Films/Sidus Corporation Korea
Little Woman - A day in the life of a Tweenager
A documentary dealing with the phenomenon of "Tweenagers".
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
2000
A Death in the Family
Exploring a bizarre family murder in London.
Director: John Akomfrah for Blast Films/Ch4
Kurosawa
Two one hour films on the life and films of Akira Kurosawa
Director:Adam Low for BBC Arena/NHK Japan/ WNET Ch13 New York
Cine Guild Golden Eagle Award Washington, Prix Italia Finalist
1999
The Wonderfull World of Louis Armstrong
An 80 min retrospective film on the life and music of Louis Armstrong.
Director: John Akomfrah for Smoking Dogs Films/BBC1
SASC Visible Spectrum Gold Award for Cinematography
14Up South Africa
The 2nd film in the 7Up series
Director: Angus Gibson for Granada UK
Riot
The socio-political implications of the Toxteth uprisings in Liverpool in 1981
Director: John Akomfrah for Smoking Dogs Films/Ch4 UK
First prize at Asian Digital Film Festival 2000
Louis Theroux's Wierd Weekends - White South African Seperatists
Louis meets the South African white right.
Director: Kate Townsend for BBC2
1998
Child abuse in South Africa
A film exploring this frightening problem in South Africa.
Director: Tom Roberts for October Films/Ch4 UK
Director: John Akomfrah for Smoking Dogs Films/BBC2
SASC Visible Spectrum Gold Award for Cinematography
The History of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
A three part series exploring the historical and contemporary reality of this extraordinary country.
Director: John Bridcutt for MBC/BBC
Full Frontal in Flip Flops
Observing naturism in the UK.
Director: Don Boyd for Anglia/ITV
1997
Pilger's South Africa
John Pilger critically analysing the ANC in post apartheid South Africa.
Director: Alan Lowry for Carlton TV UK
The Mission - Elephant translocation
Translocating Elephant family units across Africa - series mission.
Director: Sue Bourne for BBC1
1996
The Wall and the Colour Bar - Co photography
Nadine Gordimer explores the political and social parallels between two cities - Johannesburg and Berlin.
Director: Hugo Cassirer for German TV
Martin Luther King
Exploring the contemporary legacy of MLK.
Director: John Akomfrah for BBC2
SASC Visible Spectrum Gold Award for Cinematography
Norman Foster - Economics of Architecture
Looking at fiscal politics in architecture on a global scale
Director: Don Boyd for BBC2
Death in the Family
Gillian Slovo's journey into her past so as to enable her to come to terms with the relationship with her parents, Ruth First and Joe Slovo.
Director: Adam Low for Ch4 UK
Alan Patons Beloved Country
Alan Patons remarkable life seen through the eyes of family and friends.
Director: Catherine Meyburgh
Ananti Best Documentary and Cinematography Award
Awarded Alumi Top Achiever of the Decade. Faculty of Information Sciences, Pretoria Film School
1995
Transplants
Exploring the ethics of organ transplants, South Africa section.
Director:Tony Stark for BBC2
Woman
A global look at the contemporary status of woman across the planet.
Gail Singer for Canadian Film Board
Ordinary People
A one hour special on one day in the life of President Mandela.
Director: Harriet Gavshon for Mail and Guardian TV
Visually exploring the inherent racism in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness.
The Cheese and the Worms - Voices from the Dark
Historian Carlo Ginsberg explores the cosmology of Dominicco Scandella, a 16th century Miller/heretic.
Director: John Akomfrah for Ch4
1994
Mandela (Principal Photography)
The authorised documentary on the life of President Nelson Mandela.
Directors: Angus Gibson and Joe Mennel Producers: Jonathan Demme, Chris Blackwell
Oscar Nomination for best Documentary
African Footsteps
Three films set in African countries exploring the people and the spaces the inhabit.
Director: John Akomfrah and Andrew Snell BBC2
Welcome to the Human Race
The final film in a trilogy tracing the role that four woman played in the struggle for a just and democratic South Africa.
Directors: Betty and Matthew Wolpert. French German CoPro
The End of Apartheid (Co-photography)
Three one hour documentaries featuring the decision makers behind the dramatic political transformation in South Africa between 1990 and 1994.
Directors: Steward Lamsley and Mick Gold for Brain Lapping and Associates BBC1
1993
The Babe Business
Money, Fame, Exploitation and Failure in New Yorks modelling scene.
Director: Don Boyd
Plane Song
Rhythm and movement in an African Landscape.
Director: Deborah May for british Arts Council and BBC2
1992
Aids in Africa
Investigating the long term economic implications of Aids for the Africa continent.
Director: Allison Hooper for BBC2
Education - A Basic Haman Right
Dealing with the Education Crises in South Africa
Director: Kevin Harris for the ANC Education Department
A Travelling Song
A Poetic and Razor Sharp investigation into the historical and contemporary injustices within the mining industry in South Africa.
Director: Lindy Wilson for Ch4 UK
Director: Don Boyd Producer: Nick Frazier for Ch4 UK
SASC Visible Spectrum Bronze Award for Cinematography
Aunt Betsie and her Traitor Grandson
Hendrik and Betsy Verwoerds wayward ANC supporting grandson.
Director: Clive Edwards for Thames TV
1991
An African Ride
Four part series documenting a continuous horseback journey from Botswana to the border of Sudan to propagate the then revolutionary wildlife management concept of sustainable utilisation.
Directors: Tessa Fleischer, Catherine Meyburgh and Dewald Aukema
We Jive Like This
Youth Theatre, Poetry and Dance mixed with the turbulent townships of 91 South Africa.
Director: Deborah May for British Arts Council
Soweto (co photography)
Six one hour films documenting the history of Soweto.
Director: Angus Gibson for University of the Witwatersrand History Department
Mandela in West Africa
Nelson Mandela's first post release visit to West Africa to thank Ghana and Senegal for their support of the ANC after it's banning in 1960 by the South African government.
Director: William Kentridge
1990
Conversations with Soweton Golfers
Exploring the emerging black middle class in South Africa.
Director: Angus Gibson for Ch4 UK
Act of Union
Understanding the historical and contemporary relationship between the UK and South Africa.
Director: Lucy Hooberman for Ch4 UK
Rebirth of a Nation
Newly independent Namibia birth pains.
Director: Kevin Harris
Township Fever
The life of playwright/Director Mbongeni Ngema
Director: Francis Gerard for BBC2
1989
After the Battle
Juxtaposing the life's of Cuban and South African soldiers during and after the Angolan/South African war of the 1980's.
Directors: Estella Bravo and Kevin Harris for Cuban TV
1988
No Easy Road to Freedom
Swapo's role in liberating Namibia from it's South African oppressors.
Director: Kevin Harris
Othello
Lighting design for Janrt Suzman's production of Othello.
1987
Classified People
Exploring race classification in South Africa.
Director: Yolande Zaubermann for Arte
The Island
A conversation with three men, all who spent most of their live's on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.
Director: Lindy Wilson for Ch4 UK
A Cry of Reason
The life of Beyers Naude, a prominent Afrikaner theologian who rejected his own people by commiting his whole life to fighting apartheid.
Director: Kevin Harris
Oscar Nomination for best Documentary
1986
Girls Apart
Comparing the lifestyles of two 14 year old girls, one white and one black.
Director: Chris Sheppard for BBC2
Freedom Square and Back of the Moon
A dramatised documentary looking at the removal of Sophiatown residents by the Verwoerd regime in the 1950's.
Directors:Angus Gibson and William Kentridge
Biko
The life and times of Steven Biko, founding father of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa.
Director: Terrance Francis for the BBC
1985
Founder member of Free Filmakers
A non-profit organisation with the aim of producing anti apartheid films and providing film education for people who were previously denied this by the apartheid regimes catastrophic policy of "Bantu Education"
Other members: Angus Gibson, Patrick Shai, William Kentridge, Ramalao Makhene, Arthur Molepo, Harriet Gavshon, Eddie Wes, Tony Bensusan and Siphiwe Khumalo.
The Ribbon
The Role of Women in the struggle for a democratic South Africa.
Director: Harriet Gavshon
Simon Ngubane - Still on Strike
Looking at the Metal and Allied Workers Union struggle against oppression in South Africa.
Director: Melany Chait for Ch4 UK
1984
Kosibay
Gently exploring at the age old sustainable relationship between man and nature in Kosibay
Director: Angus Gibson
1982/3
Practical year, clapper loading, focus pulling and shooting various short films.
1980/1
Film School. Higher Diploma in Film Production, Graduated with Honour
