BENEATH THE SURFACE - THE COBALT CONUNDRUM
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BENEATH THE SURFACE: THE COBALT CONUNDRUM
Sizzle reel for a feature documentary film by Michael Davie and Rui Palhais
Total Budget: USD 80,000
• Research / Pre-Production: USD 15,000
• Shoot: USD 27,000
• Post-Production / edit: USD 25,000
• The Cobalt Dinner Talks – Lisbon – USD 3,000
• Pitching to television networks / streaming services - USD 10,000
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Director Michael Davie and Producer Rui Palhais are raising funds to create a 3-5 minute sizzle reel which will be shown to television networks, streaming services, philanthropists, story incubators and other investors to raise financing to then make a feature-length (90 minute) documentary film with a budget of approximately USD $1million.
The feature-length documentary entitled "Beneath the Surface: The Cobalt Conundrum" will reveal the harrowing human and environmental costs of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The film will highlights the courageous efforts of renegade nuns, a dedicated surgeon, and impoverished miners fighting to protect the country's last community-run cobalt mines from a cadre of international mercenaries, billionaires, basketball stars and kleptocrats who are determined to seize control of the mines - a move which will drive hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of starvation.
Character-driven, intimate and observational, "Beneath the Surface: The Cobalt Conundrum" is powered by unique access to some of the most influential players in the fight to control cobalt, and will take viewers inside what The New York Times described as, “The new frontline in the battle for global energy dominance”. This documentary exposes the complex power dynamics, corruption, and escalating violence surrounding cobalt's crucial role in the green energy revolution, delivering an urgent narrative that demands global attention.
*Full story synopsis located at the bottom of this page.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The human impact of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a topic that resonates deeply with me, both as a filmmaker and as a human being. In a world increasingly reliant on technology, cobalt is a vital resource, essential for the production of batteries that power our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. However, this global demand has severe and often tragic repercussions for those living in cobalt-rich regions of the DRC.
During my time in the DRC in 2021, I met Mama Nicole, a young woman whose story impacted me and inspired my ambition to make this film. Two weeks after her 13-year-old son, Deomba, and his best friend were killed in a mining accident, I visited her. The boys had been scavenging for cobalt on the outskirts of a major Chinese industrial mine, trying to supplement their families' meager income. A wall in the mine, just a few hundred meters from their home, collapsed and buried them alive.
When I met Mama Nicole, her family had finally managed to save enough money to buy a simple metal cross for Deomba's otherwise unmarked grave. I filmed the heart-wrenching scene as they walked through their township on the way to the cemetery, their faces worn with grief. It was an almost unbearably moving experience to witness their pain. Just before they arrived at the cemetery, a cadre of police and the local governor stopped them, demanding a "fee" to allow them to place the cross on Deomba's grave. The family, already struggling to survive, explained that paying this fee would mean they couldn't feed their remaining children that day. The authorities were unmoved. Eventually, the family paid and were permitted to place the cross.
This moment encapsulates so much of what I observed in the DRC's cobalt mining regions: the relentless exploitation of the people, and the land, by those in power. The rich and powerful extract both resources and hope from the vulnerable communities around them. The tragedy of Deomba’s death and his family's subsequent mistreatment highlights the dire consequences of unregulated mining practices and the pervasive corruption that prevents justice and basic human dignity.
When I contacted the Chinese industrial mining company responsible for the mine and the wall collapse, asking why their site was accessible to children, why there were no fences or signs to keep them away, and what compensation would be offered to Mama Nicole’s family, I received no response. This silence speaks volumes about the disregard for human life and the prioritization of profit over safety and accountability.
Through this film, I aim to shed light on these harsh realities. The story of Mama Nicole and countless others like her must be told to a global audience, not just to raise awareness, but to inspire action and change. By bringing these human stories to the forefront, I hope to encourage more responsible and ethical practices in the sourcing of the materials that power our modern lives.
The human cost of our technological advances is too high to ignore. Mama Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for reform and the establishment of safeguards to protect those who are most vulnerable. This film is dedicated to Deomba, his family, and all those who have suffered in silence. It is a call to action for us all to demand better and to ensure that our green future is built on a foundation of justice and humanity.
Mama Nicole holding a picture of her son, Deomba.
Mama Nicole’s sister awaiting permission to place a cross on her nephew Deomba’s grave. In the background her father pleads with local authorities over a “fee” they demanded he pay before being allowed to place the cross on Deomba’s grave.
THE TEAM
DIRECTOR - MICHAEL DAVIE
In 2021 Michael spent six weeks working on a television news and current affairs program for ABC Australia entitled “Blood Cobalt”. He travelled to the DRC with a small film crew and was exposed for the first time to the political complexities, widespread corruption and human hardship which plagues cobalt mining. His reporting triggered a powerful ambition to return to the DRC to make a feature-length documentary which fully explores the true human cost of our planet’s surge towards a green-energy future.
With over 60 films to his credit Michael’s work is a regular feature on National Geographic, Disney+, Netflix, CNN, ABC, and OWN. His work includes the Emmy-winning films "War Child" and "Gorilla Murders," and the feature documentary “The Choir,” which garnered the AFI Best Director Award. Michael, co-created and directed the Oprah Winfrey-led series "Belief," described by Variety as "a spell-binding epic.”
For more information about Michael please visit www.michaeldavie.com
MICHAEL’S PREVIOUS WORK ON THIS SUBJECT
BLOOD COBALT (30 minute news and current affairs documentary for ABC Australia)
BLOOD COBALT (Digital Print Article)
PRODUCER – RUI PALHAIS
Rui Palhais, from Lisbon, Portugal, has an engineering background and a diverse professional journey. With a career spanning multiple countries, Rui has been instrumental in helping companies and individuals achieve excellence. Known for a passion for travel and
community engagement, Rui’s close contact with operations supports a strong call to action and the ability to manage complexity and timelines. Rui’s passion for causes and meaningful projects drives participation in initiatives that are critical in giving people and communities a voice.
HOW WE’LL SPEND THE MONEY WE RAISE
The Dinner Talks (USD 3,000) (November 2024)
Three dinners and presentations on the human impact of cobalt mining hosted by Michael Davie in Lisbon, Portugal
Research / Pre-production (USD 10,000) (February 2025)
Story research
Creative and logistical planning for the shoot
Securing visas and filming permits
The Shoot (USD 25,000) (March 2025)
Two week shoot in the DRC directed by Michael Davie to capture scenes for the sizzle reel which will convey the core themes, characters, storyline and locations for the feature-length documentary.
Post Production / Edit (USD 25,000) (April 2025)
Three weeks of editing with a specialist sizzle-reel editor to create a 3-5 minute sizzle reel which will be used to attract financing for the feature-length documentary.
Pitching to Television Networks and Streaming Services – (USD 10,000) (May 2025)
Michael will travel to the US, the UK and Europe to meet with commissioning editors, story development executives, distributors, philanthropists, and story incubators. Michael will share the sizzle reel with them to raise interest in and financing for the feature-length documentary.
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FULL STORY SYNOPSIS
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a battle unfolds, obscured from much of the world's view. This conflict revolves around cobalt, a mineral crucial for the green energy revolution propelling electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. With soaring demand, the stakes escalate, setting small-scale miners against industrial giants like Tesla and its mining partner, Glencore.
The DRC is home to 70 percent of the world’s cobalt reserves.
At the epicenter of this tumultuous landscape are unexpected champions: a band of renegade Catholic nuns led by Sister Justicia Nakesa Pili of the Good Shepherd Order. They've undertaken the monumental task of rescuing thousands of child laborers from the cobalt mines. Now, they stand as the final barrier against Glencore's continued aggressive takeover of Shabara, the Congo’s last community-owned cobalt mines.
In a striking dichotomy, these nuns, also shareholders in Tesla, confront the corporate giants at shareholder meetings while tirelessly educating former child miners in basic literacy and mathematics. They also tend to the psychological scars left by brutal and perilous artisanal cobalt mining, where many children endured beatings, starvation, and witnessed the tragic loss of loved ones in mine accidents.
In the midst of this turmoil, there's another unsung hero: Dr. Sebastien Muzenzayi, an extraordinary cranio-facial surgeon who has dedicated his life to helping children born with birth defects caused by cobalt exposure. Dr. Musenzayi has performed over 3000 facial reconstruction surgeries, giving these children a chance at a normal life despite the odds stacked against them.
But the effects of cobalt mining go far beyond individuals. The fallout from Glencore and Tesla's partial-takeover of the Shabara mines has already reverberated across the region, leaving tens of thousands of artisanal miners unemployed and plunging families into destitution. Lawlessness grips the area as disaffected miners turn to crime, launching violent attacks on wealthy neighborhoods and extorting commuters at makeshift roadblocks. Experts say the rising tensions in the DRC’s cobalt belt are the kindling for Africa’s next genocide.
Meanwhile, the opulent Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa serves as a microcosm of Congo's mining boom. A procession of adventurers and opportunists, including former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, Texas hedge-fund manager Gentry Beach, and mercenary magnate Eric Prince, converge here to claim their share of the cobalt rush. Amidst the glamour, their ambitions collide with the harsh realities of Congo’s struggle to haul itself out of poverty.
At the heart of this disparate group is the Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, orchestrating multi-billion dollar deals between foreign mining companies and the Congolese government. The Fleuve Hotel has become his sanctuary as investigations by the US State Department, the British Foreign Office, and Swiss taxation authorities loom over his alleged practices. Although Gertler has been vilified in global media he has rarely spoken to journalists – and this film will attempt to give him a voice amidst the controversy that surrounds him.
Driving this cobalt boom is DRC’s President Felix Tshishikedi, who just last week was the target of an unsuccessful military coup – underscoring the volatility of the region he rules. Tshishikedi’s approval is essential for any mining endeavor in the DRC and he is faced with the enormous challenge of utilizing his country’s natural resources while resisting the exploitation of outsiders who bring capital, expertise and access to foreign markets. This film’s ambition is to spend time filming with President Tshishikedi –to provide a powerful insight into one of the most complex leadership roles in the world.
Beneath the Surface: The Cobalt Conundrum paints a compelling picture of Congo's pivotal role in the global shift toward clean energy. However, beneath the promise of progress lies an underbelly of exploitation and conflict that this film will unveil and juxtapose against the struggle led by a small cadre of courageous nuns, doctors, and activists determined to protect their compatriots and their nation’s birthright.
Thank you for helping us to tell this important story.
Organizer
Michael Davie
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC