Agbogloshi, Accra is the largest electronic waste dump in the world. About 6000 women, men and children live and work here. They call it SODOM. Every year about 250.000 tons of sorted out computers, smartphones, air conditions tanks and other devices from a far away electrified and digitalized world end up here. Illegally.

Direction: Florian Weigensamer, Christian Krönes

Script: Roland Schrotthofer, Florian Weigensamer

Production: Christian Krönes

Co-Production: Roland Schrotthofer

Cinematography: Christian Kermer

Editing: Christian Kermer

Sound: Jürgen Kloihofer, Felix Sturmberger

Original Score: Jürgen Kloihofer, Felix Sturmberger

Original Title: WELCOME TO SODOM

Original Language: English

Film Production Country: Austria

Website: WWW.WELCOME-TO-SODOM.COM

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/welcometosodom/

Statement of the Director/s
The demand for the newest electronic accessories is exploding in Europe and the US. Producers are regularly topping their turnover records. Mobile phones, LCD TVs, notebooks and other electronic devices are often „out” after a short period of time due to changes in fashion and planned obsolescence and thus become junk. Hundreds of thousands of these devices end up in Ghana, where children and youths break down the electronic junk amongst swathes of thick black smoke. A „clean“ business for some, a toxic everyday life for others. In this film we wish to touch on a most controversial and current topic: The waste disposal of millions of tons of western electronic junk in the “Third World“. It is this electronic junk from an un-known, distant world, the accomplishments of the Golden West that keep this microcosm alive and may soon lead to its downfall. The effects of the in-part, illegal export of electronic junk on the microcosm of Agbogbloshie in Ghana is shown in illustrative, theatrical episodes.
We spent over three months with the people of Sodom on the dump – one of the most toxic places on the planet. It was not easy and it took a long time for us to gain their trust and to be allowed so close to them and for them to open up to us. We did not just want to scratch the surface and deliver shocking images designed to evoke pity like the many other reports on the subject have done. In order to understand this place and the life in this, perhaps anti-place might be a better description, it requires a deeper look to gain a deeper insight.
It was this closeness that was necessary for „Welcome to Sodom“ to give a voice to those people whose existence and everyday life is formed and threatened by modern technology. That was the only way of seeing and showing this apocalyptic world from their own perspective. To get an idea from a completely different kind of existence, at the bottom of the value-added chain.
With the film we hope to make users reflect on their desire to always have the latest devices in hand. This film is trying to close the gap somewhat between these two worlds. „Welcome to Sodom“ focuses on a subject of highest topicality. We hope this film appeals to a young and critical cinema audience and will bring them to reflect on their own purchasing behavior and sensitize them against the current doctrines of our throwaway culture. We are certain that this subject has great potential for a provocative, open and challenging discussion and creates multifarious reflections.

Biography of the Director/s
- Florian Weigensamer -
After his studies of Political Science and Communication Science at the University of Vienna Florian gained first journalistic and writing experience at Austrian‘s foremost news magazine „Profil“. 1995 he joins the editorial team of Vienna News International where he directed and designed numerous reports and documentaries for European broadcasters. Later on, together with Christian Krönes, he exclusively produced and directed political and social re- ports and documentaries from Mid/Eastern Europe and Asia for arte. At the same time he worked on film and multimedia content for museums and exhibitions. After collaborating with various artists in different media in San Francisco for more than a year he became founding member, author and director of the Blackbox-Collective in 2006.

- Christian Krönes -
During his film and directing studies he was able to accompany and work alongside the legendary DOPs, Vittorio Storaro und Sven Nykvist. In 1985 he joined the Austrian Television and directed a variety of TV formats. In 1990, Christian Krönes started his work for major German broadcasting companies as well as setting up a media agency in Vienna. His work as a consultant and freelance producer allowed him to engage with renowned film production companies. Work on a film project with Sir Peter Ustinov, soon developed into a deep friendship and resulted in years of artistic collaboration for TV and stage productions. Sir Peter Ustinov’s wish for Christian Krönes to work for the Ustinov Foundation was soon accepted and so he became the personal advisor and manager for Sir Peter Ustinov up until his death in 2004. In 2006, Christian Krönes formed Blackbox Film and with over 30 years of experience in the film branch is now active as managing director and producer.

Filmography of the Director/s
2018 - Welcome to Sodom - Documentary
2016 - A German Life - Documentary

Awards Won
Best Cinematography Award - Valletta Film Festival

World Sales:
Syndicado Film Sales
Aleksandar Govedarica
121 Beaconsfield Ave.
Toronto, M6J 3J5, Canada
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +421949635890
Website: http://syndicado.com/

Cleverly interwoven, the destinies of the various protagonists unravel the complex story of this apocalyptic society. Their very personal inner voices allow a deep insight into life and work at this place – and of Sodom itself.
And you can be sure - it will most probably be the final destination of the smartphone, the computer you buy today.