a portrait in the search of happiness, benjamin rost, angela schlabitz, dokumentar film, fotografie, photography, art, port nolloth, south africa, diamonds, diamond diving, port, beach, ocean, westcoast, atlantic, benguela current, rocks, jewels, history, geschichte, diamanten, diamantentaucher, museum, filmstudent, fotografin, münchen, ludwigsburg, bayern, deutschland, afrika, germany, munich, bavaria, photographer, director
THE PROJECT
01
A Portrait on the Search for Happiness starts as a photo expedition in the most northern part of South Africa, to a village that seems to have been completely ignored by the media since 2011.
After an 8-hour drive from Cape Town through grass, tundra, and mountains we finally spot some lights appearing on the dark horizon. A fog surrounds them with a shiny glow. On this horizon lies Port Nolloth, the fog, and the sea.
For 300 days a year, fog rolls in like a thick blanket, covering this all but forgotten village with a gloomy atmosphere. Nevertheless, more than 6000 people still happily call Port Nolloth their home. Most of them have a good reason to be here.
For over 40 years residents have been diving in heavy suits, in the middle of rough seas in search of happiness, hoping for luck, and dreaming of a better life: once upon a time, diamonds covered the ocean floor here. In the 1980s people made millions this way, but the diamond era is over. The dreams still exist…
We found unbelievable stories and saw wonderful faces - of diamond divers, adventurers, survival artists and the big love - draped in fog at the edge of the world.
PRESENT
Why is it sometimes easier to follow unfulfilled dreams, than turn around and start from new?
A Portrait on the Search for Happiness is a multimedia project consisting of photos, texts, 360 degree experiences and film episodes. By the example of the foggy village of Port Nolloth, it deals with the human pursuit of happiness.
Our trip through Port Nolloth, the fog and the abyss of the sea takes place in three parts. In the first part we focus on photography and present an online photo exhibition.
For the second trip we want you to experience the life of Port Nolloth from another point of view. In 360-degree videos you can explore the village, its people, the houses, the ocean floor, and the boats, which are sometimes also museums.
Finally we want to present an episodic documentary film, giving you the opportunity to be a part of these rich stories: When the inhabitants watch the universe through a telescope to report on Russian rockets falling from the sky; A small piece of desert develops into a flowering paradise; An old, wrecked ship returns to the sea after 3 long years - and one old man’s desire to go diving again for the last few times.