The Rock Speaks follows the revealing journey of a cobalt rock from the mines of Congo to its transformation into cutting-edge technology. Through a hypnotic collage of archival and generative imagery, this hybrid documentary explores the hidden face of the digital revolution: the connections between modern colonialism, resource extraction and technological development. A chorus of voices emerges from the rock itself, becoming a song of resistance that unites communities along its transcontinental journey.
A work by the artists of Lo-Def Film Factory, in collaboration with historian Joe-Yves Salankang Sa-Ngol, inviting us to reflect on the true human and environmental cost of our digital future.
Sound Design:
Caydon van Eck
Production:
Lo-Def Film Factory
Runway Studios
Artefacto
Production Assistant:
Peacemore Patsika
Direction and Script:
Francois Knoetze
Amy Louise Wilson
Research, Voice Over
and Translations:
Joe-Yves Salankang Sa-ngol
Artefacto Executive
Production:
Jorge Caballero
Anna Giralt Gris
Gustavo León
Festivals:
IFFR – Tiger Short Competition (world premiere)
Thessaloniki
Zinebi
Sheffield DocFest
Ambulante
Mumbai Film Fest
Internationales Frauen Film Fest
FIFDH – Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights
Awards:
Ster-Kinekor Encounters Youth Experience Award for Best African Short Documentary
Encounters South African International Documentary Festival
An OpenDocs film
OpenDocs was a programme by Runway Studios and Artefacto supporting short documentaries made with generative AI.
