Danakil Desert, Ethiopia

HUMAN is a collection of stories about and images of our world, offering an immersion to the core of what it means to be human. Through these stories full of love and happiness, as well as hatred and violence, HUMAN brings us face to face with the Other, making us reflect on our lives. From stories of everyday experiences to accounts of the most unbelievable lives, these poignant encounters share a rare sincerity and underline who we are – our darker side, but also what is most noble in us, and what is universal. Our Earth is shown at its most sublime through never-before-seen aerial images accompanied by soaring music, resulting in an ode to the beauty of the world, providing a moment to draw breath and for introspection. HUMAN is a politically engaged work which allows us to embrace the human condition and to reflect on the meaning of our existence. The Danakil depression, or Afar, is one of lowest regions in Africa. This salt desert is also the hottest place on Earth, where temperatures can reach 50°C. The Danakil has a mineral wealth that has been exploited for millennia: salt, extracted from strip mines. Long caravans of several hundred dromedaries transport this resource throughout the country, where salt is used for the conservation of foodstuffs, for cooking, and occasionally as currency.