Notkola, Riikka

Notkola, Veijo

English

Journal.fi

Home of Heart – Documentary Film Making as anArtistic Interpretation to Population StudiesRiikka Notkola1, Veijo Notkola1riikka.notkola@gmail.comAbstractThe main aim of our research project was to investigate demographic changeand its impact on the resilience of the social and economic systems in North-Central Namibian communities since 1990, when Namibia gained her indepen-dency. In our research we used unique combination of historical and recentdata; including parish records, remote sensing data, interviews and documen-tary filmmaking.We carried out new models for a dialogue between science and art in the fieldof demographic research. We used documentary filming to create an artis-tic interpretation to population studies, including testimonies how people arecoping with environmental degradation and scarcities of resources. An artisticpart of our research, a documentary film HOME OF HEART aims to visual-ize social and ecological consequences of demographic change in the everydaylife in North-Central Namibia and to convey how the people respond to thosechanges.Rapid population growth and limited income opportunities have been pushfactors of out-migration from the North-Central Namibia (Notkola & Siisko-106 Synnyt / Origins | 2 / 2019 | Non-peer reviewed | Visual Essaynen 2000, pp. 146-163). Documentary film HOME OF HEART tells a storyof urbanized Namibians who miss their childhood homes in the harsh en-vironment of North-Central Namibia (Ovamboland). Currently the mortal-ity in Northern Namibia has dropped to the level before the HIV epidemicand similarly the fertility is increasing creating increasing population growth(Notkola, Siiskonen & Shemeikka 2017). It is estimated that Africa togetherwith Namibia will double its population in 30 years (World Population DataSheet 2015). As conclusion the out-migration from The North-Central Namibiawill remain as a way to cope with the scare environmental resources in the area.KeywordsDemographic change, North-Central Namibia, Population Studies, Art-BasedResearch, Documentary filming, Resilience of the social and ecological sys-tems, Migration.107 Synnyt / Origins | 2 / 2019 | Non-peer reviewed | Visual EssayFigure 1: Click on the image to watch the movie on Vimeo. The password is sydansydanPlease see: www.homeofheart.com108 Synnyt / Origins | 2 / 2019 | Non-peer reviewed | Visual EssaySynopsis for the filmHOME OF HEART is a short documentary 26′ that tells a story of urbanized Namibians whomiss their childhood homes in the harsh environment of North-Central Namibia (Ovamboland).Ruben Shapwa has a good life in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, but also has a farm far awayin the North. His dream is to move back one day at least for a retirement. Kandina is a youngwoman who gathers the strength for the first time to face the past and return back to a placeonce called home first time in 20 years. HOME OF HEART is a story of people travellingback to their roots. The story starts from Namibia, but by surprise ends in Finland where along lost sister of Ruben is found. HOME OF HEART shares positive stories of people seekingbetter life elsewhere than where they originally located. Truly speaking we all have history (orhearts) somewhere else than where we happen to be at this particular moment in life. This is animportant message to remember also in politically changing Europe facing migrant crisis.ReferencesNotkola, V., & Siiskonen, H. (2000). Fertility, mortality & migration in Sub-Saharan Africa. thecase of Ovamboland in North-Namibia 1925-1990. London & New York, NY: MacMillanPress & ST. Martin’s Press.Notkola, V., Siiskonen, H., & Shemeikka, R. (2017). The causes of changes in fertility innorthern namibia. Finnish Yearbook of Population Research, 51, 23–40.World Population Data Sheet 2015. (2015). Population reference bureau. New York, NY.109 Synnyt / Origins | 2 / 2019 | Non-peer reviewed | Visual Essay

Home of Heart – Documentary Film Making as an Artistic Interpretation to Population Studies

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Home of Heart – Documentary Film Making as an Artistic Interpretation to Population Studies

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