Glenwood filmmaker honours strength in women

GLENWOOD filmmaker, Karen Logan did not expect to return to Durban and settle down after carving a career in the exciting entertainment industry, but the theatre personality says she would not have it any other way.

“I thought I might settle in Cape Town because I left Durban to study theatre and performing arts at UCT. After studying I wanted to travel so I was living and learning in London and got involved in video production. I did some documentary filmmaking there for about four years, just travelling with a camera and some editing software, trying to make enough money to do more travelling in Europe, but I came home before returning to Cape Town. Met Iain and that was it!”

Logan may not have returned to Cape Town, but she did continue her dream of filmmaking and video production, with her production company Amehlo Productions and her theatre background lends itself to filming many local theatre productions. She also does a lot of collaborative work with husband Iain (EWOK) Robinson.

This month the Durban Girls’ College old girl, who was always encouraged by her family to follow her passion for the arts, will have her hands full with JOMBA! KZN’s most popular dance experience. “I’m involved in putting together the video projections for the piece Migrations at the Feet of Kali, its an exciting dance from Lianne combining the talents of Kathak dancer, Manesh Maharaj, Flatfoot’s ADD dancers with poetry from EWOK. The impacting images of washing of the dancers feet in surrender, indentured Indians arrival and colonial history amalgamates to give such a multi-layered, powerful piece that I’m really excited for people to see,” she said.

Logan admits motherhood definitely changed her. “It forced me to find a better work/life balance. It makes you realise, you can’t sweat the small stuff. Ethan has brought us so much joy, we actually don’t need to go out and seek with him around. I’m grateful everyday, happy with what we do and what we have.

“As a woman it is hard to make time for yourself and prioritise your creative endeavours, but I feel it’s important for my son to see that I’m focused on my career as well. Particularly for boys to grow up with seeing strength and meaningful work come from their moms,” she added.

Logan says Women’s Month is a time to reflect on what it means to be a woman. “I love reading all about the inspiring stories and issues affecting women during this time, because people and the press are obligated to focus on women. Things like the #Khwezi silent protest! It is an important time to focus on women, there’s so much going on in South Africa at the moment, so many possibilities. The next few years is going to be interesting,” she added with a sparkle in her eye.