WATCH: A short film of GBV from Kagiso
Koketso Mhlongo and Semende Ndlovu have set out to produce impactful videos depicting the effects of gender-based violence.
A passion for creating films can develop in anyone and grow very strong over time.
It might be difficult to get started, to get your hands on the necessary camera equipment and to learn how to film, record sound, set up lighting, write a script, direct actors and edit, but once you get going you usually don’t want to stop.
Watch No Happiness Episode 3 below:
Koketso Mhlongo and Semende Ndlovu found their love for creating short films in 2020 and decided to set up their own small, shoestring-budget production studio called Universal Dreamers Production. Although it was tough to get the equipment together and run their productions on their own, seeing everything through from the first step to the last, they’ve been able to create a few videos which many have enjoyed watching online.
Since then they’ve filmed and released three episodes of their No Happiness series which follows the characters ‘Mother’ and her daughter ‘Refilwe’, portrayed by Lisa Mabasa and Anele Khumalo as they first endured gender-based violence at home, and later fled and lived on the street after Refilwe had murdered her father.
Their first episode was released on YouTube last September and has already garnered over 1 000 views, with Episodes 2 and 3 having an aggregate of just over 800 views.
No Happiness is a successful project with a few thousand views and still counting. This year I’m still going to continue filming and releasing more episodes. I’m open to collaborate with different individuals and groups, and people should continue to support us as we bring out more,” Koketso said.
They plan on releasing Episode 4 early in March.
