An inspirational portrait of a young West African man who starts a business building solar panels from scratch and selling them to rural customers in Mali.
6-year-old Daniel Dembele is equal parts West African and European, and looking to make his mark on the world. Seizing the moment at a crossroads in his life, Daniel decides to return to his homeland in Mali and start a local business building solar panels -- the first of its kind in the sun-drenched nation. Daniel's goal is to electrify the households of rural communities, 99% of which live without power.
BURNING IN THE SUN tells the story of Daniel's journey growing the budding idea into a viable company, and of the business' impact on Daniel's first customers in the tiny village of Banko. Addressing climate change, poverty, and self-sufficiency, the film demonstrates how a small-scale, local business model can provide jobs, appropriate technology, and empowerment to people everywhere. The film also explores what it means to grow up as a man, and a vision of what it takes to prosper as a nation.
Awards
~ Grand Jury Prize, Best Environmental Film, Santa Cruz Film Festival
~ Audience Award, Indie Spirit Film Festival
~ Audience Award, Best Documentary Feature, Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival
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