The location of the Jordan valley is situated on the the other side of Israel in the Red Sea

MY DRYING LAND

Cinematic VR Director ROBERT FOX

Cinematic VR editor WIEBE VAN DER VLIET

Art Director LINA HASHIM

Associate producer Jordan WJD DHNIE

Ambisonic Sound Design JACQUES PEDERSEN

Fixer Jordan WORLD FIXER LONDON

Synopsis: In the immersive VR film "My Drying Land," viewers are transported to the Jordan Valley, where they meet Umbekka, a resilient 62-year-old farmer. Umbekka's life has been intertwined with the land since she started farming at the tender age of 12. However, climate change has brought unprecedented challenges to her doorstep.

The story unfolds in a desolate landscape, where everything with water has withered away, including the once-majestic Dead Sea that looms nearby. Umbekka's farm, once teeming with life, now stands dried out and barren, mirroring the fate of neighboring farms that have long been abandoned. Sinkholes, treacherous chasms that swallow the ground whole, pose an additional threat, often collapsing and devouring entire structures.

Compounding the struggles is the fact that the majority of the water supply is diverted to the nearby factories at the Dead Sea salt refinery. In the limited hours when water is available, Umbekka faces the arduous task of safeguarding the precious resource, sending her trusted friends to prevent unauthorized tapping into the pipes.

Resourcefulness becomes Umbekka's ally as she navigates the harsh realities of her environment. With water scarcity at an all-time high, she ingeniously reuses water up to four times, ensuring every precious drop serves multiple purposes. However, her efforts are further compounded by the dwindling demand and low prices in the market for her agricultural produce.

Umbekka's unwavering dedication to her late husband's memory adds another layer of determination to her journey. Following her husband's passing 11 years ago, she vowed never to sell their cherished farm, promising him a legacy that would endure. Despite the odds stacked against her, Umbekka has managed to uphold her promise, relying on her sheer will and determination.

Drawing from her years of experience and the wisdom gained through countless trials, Umbekka has devised a strategy that offers a glimmer of hope amidst the desolation. This resilient farmer has discovered innovative methods and techniques to adapt and survive, refusing to succumb to the harsh realities of her drying land.

"My Drying Land" takes viewers on an emotionally charged and immersive VR journey, highlighting the strength and indomitable spirit of Umbekka as she faces the consequences of climate change head-on. Through the use of ambisonic sound, the audience will be fully immersed in the sights, sounds, and challenges of Umbekka's world, creating a deeply impactful and thought-provoking experience.

Witness Umbekka's determination, learn from her ingenuity, and experience the raw power of resilience in "My Drying Land," a VR film that explores the human spirit's ability to endure in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The woman farmer Umbekka sits in her dry fields studying the koran for hours every day.