‘An Open Field’ Documentary Explores Grief Following 2019 Ethiopia Plane Crash
Teboho Edkins’ award-winning short film arrives on Netflix following its global festival success.
1Documentary Global Premiere
The short documentary film An Open Field is scheduled for a global release on Netflix on December 1. Directed by Teboho Edkins, the 38-minute production explores the aftermath of the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash. It previously won the best short documentary award at the 2025 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
2Tragic Origins of Film
The project stems from the death of Max Thabiso Edkins, who was among the 157 passengers killed when the flight crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa in March 2019. His brother, Teboho, directed the film to process the family's grief while documenting the local community's response to the tragedy.
3Community Compassion and Vigil
The film highlights how local villagers immediately arrived at the crash site to offer assistance. Some residents maintained a vigil for an entire month to preserve the area. Years later, these villagers continue to mourn alongside visiting family members, illustrating a profound, collective sense of compassion that persists long after the disaster.
4Contrast in Corporate Response
The film’s synopsis explicitly contrasts the enduring compassion shown by the local Ethiopian community with Boeing’s widely criticized response to the crash. By focusing on these human interactions, the director creates a quiet testament to resilience, warmth, and patience, framing the narrative as a personal essay on the nature of loss.
5International Production Scope
An Open Field is a collaborative production involving companies from South Africa, France, and Germany, including Day Zero Film and Video Productions and Survivance. The film features cinematography by Jide Akinleminu and editing by Anne Fabini. The dialogue is presented in both English and Amharic, utilizing both color and black-and-white visual styles.
6Universal Themes of Loss
Although the story is rooted in a specific tragedy in Ethiopia, the film aims to transcend borders. With passengers from over 30 countries involved in the original crash, the narrative addresses the universal burden of losing a loved one. It functions as both a family film and a broader exploration of human grief.
7Director’s Vision for Release
Director Teboho Edkins expressed that the film is a delicate work concerning fundamental human experiences. He stated that he is grateful for Netflix's support in bringing the project to a global audience. He hopes the film resonates with viewers worldwide, allowing the spirit of those lost to connect with a broader public.
8Context of Documentary Impact
The transition of this film from the festival circuit to a major streaming platform marks a significant distribution milestone for independent documentary shorts. By reaching a global audience, the film shifts the focus from the technical details of the aviation disaster toward the long-term emotional and social recovery of the affected community.