Zanzibar: Trouble in Paradise

Zanzibar: Trouble in Paradise is a deeply moving documentary that tells the story of women in Zanzibar, an archipelago of Tanzania, who have found financial independence through seaweed farming—a livelihood increasingly threatened by climate change. The film chronicles their transition to sea sponge cultivation, a sustainable alternative that offers hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

This project originated in 2021 with the ambition to deploy custom-built holographic camera systems in the field, merging cutting-edge technology with meaningful storytelling. Collaborating with a frequent creative partner and drawing from prior Africa-based productions, we explored numerous potential narratives before committing to the remarkable story of the women of Zanzibar.

Capturing this story required a multifaceted team adept at navigating both the technical challenges of groundbreaking holographic video capture and the emotional depth of the women's experiences. The technology needed to be invisible to the subjects, allowing their authenticity, vulnerability, and strength to shine through.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022, accompanied by a fully immersive, custom-fabricated set that accentuated the viewing experience. This premiere also marked a historic milestone in holographic video, debuting the world’s largest holographic display in collaboration with Looking Glass Factory. Viewers described the experience as looking through a window into reality itself—an immersive, tactile sensation that felt as if they could reach out and touch the world on screen.

The innovation and storytelling of Zanzibar: Trouble in Paradise garnered the attention of Apple, leading to an invitation to present the film and share the creative process with their iPhone team at Apple’s Cupertino campus.

This project not only highlighted the resilience of the women of Zanzibar but also marked a significant step forward in the democratization of cinematic holographic video capture. By breaking down the cost and complexity of the medium, Zanzibar exemplifies how technology can empower both storytelling and social change. It remains a testament to the transformative potential of combining human narratives with technological innovation.