Local young filmmakers aim for stars
Hard work and sleepless nights finally paid off for young filmmakers when a film jury gave a resounding thumbs-up for their film as they contended for a spot in the internationally acclaimed Durban International Film Festival. Their eyes are set on the highest film accolade, the Oscars. While this achievement may seem far-fetched, their determination is razor-sharp.
THE film, Warm, shone among 478 entries in the category of Best South African Student Film. The cast and crew carried a steep production cost of R32 000 to produce their 12-minute graduation film.
Its three-member cast includes talented Preshie Mthembu, Ndumiso Ngcobo and Wangui Ngotho. Behind the scenes were producers Neo Dube and Ndili Stamper; director/writer Lindo Mthimkhulu; directors of photography, Lithalelanga Vena, Linda Kaunda and Mpilo Nyoka; production designer Anele Khanyile, and production assistant Cine Sibisi. All cast and crew members graduated from AFDA in 2023 and worked on Warm under their production company, Kuzazi Productions.
Film co-producer Neo Dube also created the musical elements of the project. “The film was shot on location in the Swayimane cane fields. It zooms in on the thorny issue that is patriarchy. We sought to educate and create awareness around this age-old phenomenon and its place in history and modern society. We were very energised while creating the film, and needless to say, we are elated about the response and accolades it’s received,” enthused Dube.
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The film has, so far, been selected to screen at five different festivals around the globe, including Nigeria, Argentina and the UK.
“Undoubtedly, the ultimate accolade would be the Oscars. It’s every filmmaker’s dream, and we are no different. We are determined to offer ethical work with value, and we are meticulous about marketing our product on all accessible platforms,” she said.
Dube added that the recognition was creating pressure on them to work harder and yield future films that not only entertain but educate the younger generation on sensitive issues that matter.
“Once again, our AFDA Durban students shine as the third-year Graduation Film of 2023, Warm, takes first place as the Best South African Student Film at DIFF (Durban International Film Festival). I’m so very proud of them. They’ve created a work of art that viscerally encapsulates the horrors of GBV (gender-based violence) without showing any overt violence. Congratulations to the whole cast and crew,” said AFDA Durban dean Dr Janet van Eeden.
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The winning film is about a young couple trapped in the cycle of everyday life. ‘Dolly’ is the homemaker and labourer while ‘Ngozi’ gets to be himself and treats Dolly like a servant. This cycle is broken when Dolly decides to leave Ngozi to begin a new life and finally gain freedom. She realises that she cannot get far as there is no escaping the life set out for her. While she fights for freedom, her body remains the property of patriarchy. Even her death does not allow her to escape as Ngozi violates her corpse, entrenching the notion that there is no escape for Dolly.
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