It’s lights, camera, action for talented Durban duo
The fictional film is a coming-of-age story that follows a hard-headed youth as he cycles over unforgiving terrain on a journey of self-discovery.
DURBAN’S John Hlongwane and Nathan Rice of Untitled Entertainment are set to produce their first full-length feature film.
Set in the lush rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal and inspired somewhat by their own childhood, the fictional film is a coming-of-age story that follows a hard-headed youth as he cycles over unforgiving terrain on a journey of self-discovery. The dynamic duo co-wrote the script and Hlongwane will play the main character, Philani Jaca, while Rice will direct the film.
The two met as young boys in Kranskop, KwaZulu Natal, where they were raised together at Kwasizabantu Mission near Maphumulo. The connection of their brotherhood grew even stronger when they both discovered a passion for film-making at a young age. As teenagers, they started making home videos together and quickly realised that their talent and enthusiasm for the art might very well flourish into a career path.
The pair split briefly for a few years while pursuing studies in the field. Hlongwane obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and Drama Theory from the University of Pretoria, while Rice graduated with a BA in Film Directing from the AFDA Film School. Rice showed great promise as a director and his AFDA graduation film, Homeless, won the Best Film award at the Kleinkaap Short Film Festival in 2016, where he was also nominated for Best Director. The film was subsequently shortlisted for the Student Academy of Motion Picture Awards in the best short foreign student film category.
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The filmmakers re-united in Durban and joined forces to co-found Untitled Entertainment in 2015, bursting onto the local scene with another award-winning short film. They were recently awarded at the 6th Annual Simon Sabela Film and Television Awards where they won Best Short Film and Rice was named Best Director Short Film for Faulty. They also won Best Short Film for the same production at the 6th African Emerging Filmmakers Awards in September.
Having achieved this success and industry recognition so early in their careers, the talented pair are ready for their debut feature film production. “This is truly a dream come true for us and we are thrilled to finally start filming on this movie which has been in planning for the past two years. We are also proud to have the opportunity to showcase the talent in KwaZulu Natal to the rest of South Africa, the continent, and hopefully even International audiences,” said Rice, writer, co-producer and co-director of the film.
“The movie will feature fast-paced action, breathtaking scenery, thrilling drama and of course a little romance!” said Hlongwane, lead actor, co-writer and co-producer of the film.
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