Deep Sea Dreamer

The Blue Blanket series is the still images Dylan McGarry created for the illustrated poem film that resurfaces an often overlooked narrative around ocean justice in South Africa. In the rush for oil and gas in our oceans, arguments mainly focus on the scientific concerns around seismic testing. In this short piece, the team explores the intangible and spiritual impact of Oil and Gas exploration into our oceans. Considering that the ocean is sacred to so many cultures in South Africa, this film asks, is mining our sacred ocean for more fossil fuels in this time of climate catastrophe worth it? This short film stood along with affidavits of Small Scale Fishers and Customary rights holders as evidence in recent court cases against big business and government. So far, interdicts in favour of communities have been granted by two judges, keeping the seismic surveys at bay. This recognition of the oceans as sacred in the law, with specific reference to and sensitivity towards the significance of the Ocean as a place where the ancestors dwell, marks an unprecedented shift in South African law. Both judges in two separate cases, recognised the customary rights and spiritual dimensions of many citizen’s relationships to the ocean. Beyond the legal contributions this film has made, being the first animated film to be included as evidence in a court of law in service of Indigenous intangible heritage, it was confirmed by Judge Lowe in Makhanda high court, that to his knowledge this was a new legal president. The film contributes significantly to turning the tides on Ocean literacy and what counts and knowledge in how Ocean Education looks in South Africa.