The Trek

The Trek

Starvation, suspicion and madness plague a family as they cross the Kalahari Desert under the eyes of primeval spirits. 

In 1846, a Dutch-Afrikaans family and their British travel companion set off on a challenging journey through the Kalahari Desert. Along the way, they meet Atshumao, a stolid man from the Khoen people. Despite his advice, they attempt to find a shortcut through the unforgiving landscape, unaware that they are crossing paths with two ancient spirits settling a centuries-old dispute by betting on their lives. The group is soon plagued by misfortune, tragedy, thirst, hunger and disturbing visions. As the situation worsens and a primeval beast closes in, paranoia begins to haunt them. How far will they go to survive?

"The Trek" proves that horror films can be as entertaining as they are thought-provoking. It comes at an important time in history when the consequences of colonialism and land dispossession are as pertinent as ever. The key conflict that the film explores is the oldest one of them all: the struggle over land.

From one of South Africa’s best DOPs to one of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming directors; Meekaaeel Adam's story-centric approach to shooting and commitment to visual storytelling has allowed him to transition easily into directorial roles with his latest project as director-DOP: Netflix’s STORIES OF A GENERATION WITH POPE FRANCIS. His debut feature as DOP, the South African political thriller THE LAST VICTIMS (2019), picked up over 20 awards at festivals around the world and earned Meekaaeel a RapidLion nod for Best Cinematography. Adam has since shot two more South African features, “Skaapoboer” (2023) and “The Score” (2024).

The film stars an established South African cast which includes Morné Visser (“The Kissing Booth 1,2,3”), well-known comedian Rob van Vuuren (Netflix series “Ludik,” “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, "The Mauritanian"), among others.

“The Trek” was the winner from South Africa at the 2021 JETS program hosted by the European Film Market in Berlin. The film is currently in post-production and expected to launch at a major film festival in the second half of 2024.