About this project
After making two films in Iraq, another struggle for power and oil caught my attention – this time in Nigeria. I had seen striking images of heavily armed militants moving throughout the creeks of the Niger Delta in speedboats, sabotaging flow-stations, blowing up pipelines, and kidnapping foreign oil-workers.
I researched the story and learned that while Nigeria is the fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States, the inhabitants of the oil-producing Niger Delta region live in poverty. So, I traveled to Nigeria to try to meet the militants, and start my next film. (To learn more about DELTA BOYS, please visit www.deltaboys.com)
DELTA BOYS follows the lives of militant “Godfather” Ateke Tom,
and Chima, a 21-year-old who left home to join the fight. The film also shows
life in a tiny fishing village caught in the crossfire of the conflict. Mama, a
22-year-old, struggles to give birth without access to modern medical care,
while rebels launch raids from a camp across the river.
The militants have called for greater distribution of wealth and jobs. But many feel that while
the Niger Delta cause is just, the militants’ motives are not so pure.
After filming for eight months in the Niger Delta, I was captured by the Nigerian Army, detained by the government for ten days and expelled from the country. I am very grateful to my friends and colleagues who campaigned so hard for my release, and to all of you who helped out in so many ways.
(To read more about my detention in Nigeria,visit: helpandy.wordpress.com/)
DELTA BOYS has received support from three terrific organizations: The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, Cinereach and The Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund.
Unfortunately, the generous grants from these three institutions only covered about a
third of the cost of producing the film. The remainder of the budget has come
from my own savings.
Even now, with the film virtually complete, I am faced with
substantial costs. Final sound design and mix costs $9000. Color-correction and
final output to tape will cost somewhere between $5000 and $10,000. Licensing
of over four minutes of archival and news footage used in the film will cost as
much as $25,000 plus $2000 for music. I easily need $40,000 to $50,000 to finish DELTA BOYS, so I’m
reaching out to you through Kickstarter to help. I’ve set a goal of
$15,000 which would be a tremendous boost.
In return for your support, I am offering a number of rewards.
You can pre-order the DELTA BOYS DVD, or buy the complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection on DVD.
An awesome DELTA
BOYS T-shirt.
Full-size 24x36" DELTA BOYS Movie Poster.
I am also offering two limited edition prints.
A lovely 20x30" image of three schoolgirls before an impending storm in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
And a beautiful 12x30" black & white local image from here
in Brooklyn, out at Rockaway Beach during Hurricane Irene.
I am so grateful for your support! Independent documentary filmmaking isn't easy, but it is so important.
I hope that DELTA BOYS will help raise awareness about the
oil conflict in the Niger Delta. We are overly dependent on oil to produce,
transport, and fuel virtually everything that we consume. The Niger Delta is
just one of many regions on Earth that is being pillaged in the service of this
addiction.
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Alternate T-shirt Design
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 17.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Thank you for your support! Every dollar counts! Your name will be listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
You’ll receive a digital download of DELTA BOYS, and your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
You’ll receive DELTA BOYS on DVD including BONUS FEATURES, and your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Alternate T-shirt design. Designer Brenda Fox came up with a great icon to represent DELTA BOYS and the conflict over oil: an oil-drum with a tear drop. But is it a tear drop, a drop of blood, or a drop of oil. (See design at bottom of project description.) You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
You get a DELTA BOYS T-Shirt! …and your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $80 or more Pledge $80 or more
You’ll receive a DELTA BOYS movie poster, and your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
You’ll receive the Complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection including THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER, WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, URK and DELTA BOYS. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS. (For international shipping, please add $15. Items ship separately when they become available between January and July 2012.)
Pledge $120 or more Pledge $120 or more
Two tickets to the New York City theatrical premiere of DELTA BOYS. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Two tickets to the New York City theatrical premiere of DELTA BOYS. You’ll also receive the Complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection on DVD including THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER, WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, URK and DELTA BOYS, and you'll have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Just for fun, I’ll take you to dinner and drinks in Manhattan or Brooklyn. (I love this city!) We’ll talk about filmmaking, photography and anything else. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
You’ll receive a limited edition 20 x 30” archival print of “3 schoolgirls, Akwa Ibom.” The photo shows three Nigerian schoolgirls in uniform before an impending storm. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $550 or more Pledge $550 or more
You’ll receive a 12 x 30" limited edition black & white archival print of “Irene, Rockaways.” OK, this one’s local. The photo captures an instant in time on Brooklyn’s Rockaway Beach during Hurricane Irene, August 28, 2011. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You’ll receive two VIP tickets to the world premiere of DELTA BOYS. (Transportation and lodging not included.) You'll also receive the Complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection on DVD including four films: THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER, WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, URK and DELTA BOYS. In addition, you’ll receive the DELTA BOYS movie poster, a DELTA BOYS T-shirt and a digital download of DELTA BOYS. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS. (Items ship separately when they become available between January and July 2012.)
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
FILMMAKER ATTENDED SCREENING: You host a private screening at your home for your friends and colleagues with director Andrew Berends in attendance. Andrew will present the film and host a Q&A after the screening. (Does not include transportation and lodging outside New York City.) You’ll also receive the Complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection on DVD including THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER, WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, URK and DELTA BOYS, and you'll have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS.
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
I'll spend a day with you to create a photographic environmental portrait or photo essay of you, your family, or the subject of your choosing. (Travel and lodging not included outside the Greater New York area.) You’ll also receive two VIP tickets to the world premiere of DELTA BOYS. (Transportation and lodging not included.) Plus the Complete Andrew Berends Documentary Film Collection on DVD including four films: THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER, WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, URK and DELTA BOYS. In addition, you’ll receive the DELTA BOYS movie poster, a DELTA BOYS T-shirt and a digital download of DELTA BOYS. You’ll also have your name listed on the film website under FRIENDS OF DELTA BOYS. (Items ship separately when they become available between January and July 2012.)
Project By
Connected as Andrew Berends (956 friends)
Andrew Berends received the IDA’s 2006 “Courage Under Fire” award for his film THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER filmed in Iraq. WHEN ADNAN COMES HOME, also filmed in Iraq, was awarded “Best Documentary” at Vail Film Festival 2007.
While filming DELTA BOYS, Berends was arrested, detained for ten days and expelled from Nigeria in a bid to suppress coverage of the Niger Delta conflict.
