I first traveled to Africa over 20 years ago to make a film called Jake Speed in Zimbabwe. In my experience, when you go anywhere in Africa, there are only two reactions you may have: you either love it or hate it. I loved it. In fact, I felt I had come home. And so for the next 15 years I took every possible opportunity to film somewhere in Africa. I shot movies, a dramatic TV series, and a long running documentary series.
Many of the projects had conservation themes, but for me, something was missing, until one day while on safari I was chased - for 47 seconds that was caught on film - by a magnificent and ornery 250-pound male ostrich. By that time I had seen lots of different animal behaviors, but I had never seen this one. I thought, "This one-of-a-kind experience has to be in a movie." Right then U'Bejani was born.
I knew I wanted to make a film that was not only fun for the entire family, but a film where you could easily learn about the natural world and experience some of the challenges. It had to be from the point of view of a stranger, someone new to the African bush, in order for the audience to feel that thrill of discovery as you encounter big animals for the first time. So retired American cop Harry Curtin, after answering an ad to be a bodyguard in Africa, became my hero character. And after arriving in the middle of the African nowhere and learning that he's been hired to be the bodyguard of an endangered black rhino ("u'Bejani" in Zulu), Harry's incredible adventure begins!
Film festivals everywhere greeted U'Bejani enthusiastically. They hailed the beauty and heart of this whimsical story. While the European marketplace embraced U'Bejani, the corporate driven American market was not interested in an environmental family film and so it was never released on DVD.
About a year ago, we felt that not only was the time right to finally release U'Bejani as a DVD, but the internet now allowed us to partner with environmental organizations like Born Free USA and give U'Bejani the privilege of earning money during these difficult times for deserving causes.
When you purchase the U'Bejani DVD now, 50% of all the profits from this sale will go to support the important works of Born Free USA - an organization working tirelessly to keep wildlife in the wild.
U'Bejani is now the Special Edition U'Bejani DVD because it has been re-edited, re-color timed, and has had its powerful stereo sound track enhanced. Not only is the film all new, but the DVD format has allowed us to add many extra features.
When you buy this Special Edition DVD,
you not only receive the award winning movie and trailer, but extra features like cool animal facts video gallery featuring 19 African animals plus 6 of my most memorable animal encounters, a short video essay about rhinos today, and a photo gallery featuring the animal and people stars of U'Bejani - all accompanied by the glorious sounds of the African bush.
Buy now, and not only you will get hours of wholesome family entertainment - you will get the warm satisfaction of supporting a dedicated organization like Born Free USA.
And as an extra incentive, the first 50 buyers of this special Born Free USA offer will qualify for a drawing to have a character in the upcoming sequel U'Bejani 2: The Case of the Missing Elephants named after them!
Enjoy the Special Edition U'Bejani DVD then drop me a line and let me know what you think. I'm interested, and you will receive a personal response.
Wayne Crawford
Writer/Director/Actor - U'Bejani
