GREEN MUSKETEER “Let’s reforest the world” documentary
Introduction
| GENRE: | Documentary |
| LENGTH: | 60 minutes |
| DIRECTOR: | Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern & Babette Vermunt |
| PRODUCER: | Greendocs Film |
Green Musketeer is a documentary about Pieter Hoff, inventor of the Waterboxx® and Growboxx® and thus National Icon of the Netherlands.
Water issues, climate change, biodiversity, desertification, food and hunger are some of the major problems mankind faces today. Pieter Hoff saw this like no other and sold his successful lily breeding company in 2000, so he could spend the rest of his life as an inventor working on CO2 reduction, ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, food production, poverty alleviation and emancipation. Amongst others, this resulted in his inventions the Waterboxx® and Growboxx®; two 'intelligent buckets', making it possible to plant any tree, shrub or vegetable anywhere in the world - without irrigation. Pieter spent every day of his life on his mission to plant two billion hectares of trees (one trillion trees) and fight water shortages in the driest corners of the world. When Pieter dies in 2021, his son Wout musters up all his courage to continue with the company and continue his father's mission.
The documentary raises the question of whether Pieter will succeed in accomplishing his mission. Success takes more than just a good invention. Time is running out for the Earth, and time is running out for Pieter too when his health deteriorates. By contrasting the simplicity of his ideas, against the complexity of the problems he faces, a beautifully layered film is created. With this we want to inspire the next generation, just like Pieter inspired the people around him: ”Look at the possibilities and not just at the problems that lie ahead”. By transferring Pieter's knowledge and zest for life, the documentary shows how each person can provide a livable environment.
Help us tell this inspiring story and spread the word!
On October 21, 2024, the world premiere of GREEN MUSKETEER took place in the Royal Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam. The standing ovation for the filmmakers, but certainly also for the unyielding main character of the film; brave pioneer Pieter Hoff, was completely justified. The conversations of presenter Harm Edens with Wout Hoff, who now leads Groasis (www.groasis.com), after his father passed away in 2021, were very encouraging. After the extremely difficult early years, in which several million trees were planted in dozens of countries, the big breakthrough has now fortunately begun.
A beautiful proof of this was provided by Saleh Abubakar, the Nigerian Director-General of the National Agency of the Great Green Wall of Africa (www.thegreatgreenwall.org). At the end of the evening he announced that he intends to plant at least half a million trees with the Groasis Waterboxx® by 2025 – and then intends to scale up to 10 million trees per year.
The Spanish mayor José Manuel González Arruga of San Mateo de Gállego told about the extremely positive experiences with the Waterboxx® that brought his previously desertified region back to life (www.groasis.com).
The other interviews on stage were also all inspiring. Willi Smits, protector of orangutans in Indonesia (www.masarang.eu), explained how important the protection of forests and soil is. Robin Post van der Burg told how he prevents the felling of trees thanks to smart local processing of crop waste, but also realises many other benefits (www.torrgreen.nl and www.torrgas.nl). Isaac Bullock-Kintu, originally from Uganda, spoke hopefully about the introduction of super-efficient cookstoves, functioning on pellets from crop waste instead of felled trees/charcoal, and powered by the solar energy of a WakaWaka (www.IgniteABetterFuture.org).
Would you like to help spread the film GREEN MUSKETEER and its positive message? Greendocs Film and distributor Amstelfilm want to organise a tour to movie theaters from February 2025, to show the film and engage the audience during a follow-up discussion. Do you have ideas for theaters and/or speakers or do you want to show the film to employees of a company? Do you know broadcasters who could be interested? Or do you want to support the film tour financially? Pleses send an email to Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
If you would like to know more about the plan to make the Netherlands, Europe and the world 100% CO2 neutral in an affordable, sustainable and fair way, visit this page (www.groasis.com/the-tree-solution) or download two documents with a detailed description of the Treesolution here:
The full proposal, described in more detail.
We sincerely hope that GREEN MUSKETEER will inspire you (even more) to take action! The beautiful photos of the premiere evening will certainly contribute to this. You can find the photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MbSnY_oPFPl_ovd6sU5ZC-7xxSZe5Vcx?usp=sharing
Please share this hopeful initiative with your acquaintances. Simply forward this email or post on your social media channels and tag us! #Groasis #GreenMusketeer #Treesolution #Waterboxx
Warm regards,
Wout Hoff, Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern, Babette Vermunt, Kees Jan Bender, Maurits Groen
P.S. We would like to thank everyone who made the premiere possible: main sponsor Stan&Wende, sponsors Pieter van der Ploeg, Babiche Veenendaal, Dutch Climate Systems, Ton Willemsen/Tonzon, registration partner Wietse Walinga/DuurzaamGebouwd.nl, presenter Harm Edens, photographers Jolanda van der Linden and Dana van Leeuwen, media partner Folkert van der Molen/
About Greendocs Film
Using the name Greendocs Film, Melchert Meijer zu Schlochtern and Babette Vermunt work on special documentaries. Melchert is an ecologist and has worked as a photographer, cameraman and director on various film productions since 2010. As a cameraman and field director and editor of cinema films WAD (2018) and GRUTTO! (2022) but also on TV documentaries such as Levende Rivier, Schatkamer van de Veluwe and Het WAD (4-part series NPO1). Babette is a biology teacher and communication scientist and works at all levels to ensure each story is well-told. View more of our work at www.greendocs.nl
