Exile Incessant makes its local premiere
PARKVIEW – James Reynolds talks about his new film.
Written and directed by ex-Parkview resident James Reynolds, Exile Incessant saw its local premiere at the Jozi Film Festival recently.
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The short film is set in present-day London and examines the relationship between two South African families living in self-imposed exile who are brought together by love.
“We haven’t yet started to properly speak about the legacy of apartheid, or about what the born-free generation want for our new nation. Issues are glossed over, people kept quiet for the sake of international investment and some sense of a rainbow nation. This is head in the sand thinking on a national scale and it’s up to young artists to create work that challenges this,” said Reynolds.
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In June, the film premiered internationally at the San Francisco Black Film Festival where it won the prize for best African film. It is now part of the official selection of the Jozi Film Festival where it is competing in the best short film and best international categories.
“I like to contrast the two extremes of any argument; I feel this helps clarify an audience’s own opinions and hopefully brings both sides toward a common centre,” said Reynolds about the political nature of the film.
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Reynolds also appeared as an actor in films like Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Mad Buddies as well as various stage productions. He moved to London to complete a masters degree at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
