Local artist tells stories via short films
A local artist and entrepreneur decided that a lack of resources would not stand in the way of his passion: making films.
The 37-year-old Edward Masingi, who was born and raised in Modimolle, has released several short films on his YouTube channel, Malaika Media SA, and is planning a web series.
“I have decided that I’m going to work with what I have. Even though my camera’s quality is not good enough for television shows, I gain experience with every film that I make,” he said.
His movies are shot with a DSLR Canon camera. Masingi does the script writing, casting, directing, and editing and when needed, he becomes an actor as well.
His latest short film “Mavuso” will be released in July.
In the short space of seven minutes, his short film tells the story of a man who meets a girl he likes at a shebeen. He takes her home but is surprised when she demands that he pay her the following morning. The man was under the impression that it was romance and not a business deal. The girl claims: “You do this to a lot of girls, but not to me!” and lays charges against him at the police station. The film ends on a knife’s edge.
“There will be a follow-up, but I want to start a discussion on the topic. It is important that we get to know people we’ve met, before having a relationship with them,” said Masingi.
He is inspired by the films of Damon Phillips, who offers a valuable lesson in each of his films. “In one of my favourite Phillips films a restaurant owner poses as a homeless person in front of his business.
Some of his clients are surprised when he walks into the restaurant and everyone calls him ‘boss’. The lesson is not to judge people,” he said.
Masingi uses local actors in his films that are shot on the streets of Modimolle. “I try to keep it very authentic with raw characters,” he said.
He is also a businessman and does marketing videos for local businesses. He used to document municipal events for former Modimolle-Mookgophong mayor Marlene van Staden, who passed away last year.
He is full of ideas for storylines he wants to tell. “I’m working on a film about gender-based violence. There are only six characters: a father, mother, two children, and two neighbours,” he said.
He is also working on a script for a film titled Modimolle Gangsters. “To develop these ideas and shoot the films, one however needs more resources.”
Masingi’s dream is to one day produce a film or series for national television.
“It would be wonderful if we could boost the local film industry to create more jobs and develop filmmakers to tell local stories, “ he said.
