by Thinus Ferreira
Ranging from musical comedy and science fiction to and Anglo Boer War horror story and a Muslim burial family drama, from 28 August the 12th kykNET Silwerskermfees will bring the footfall of established and new film professionals to Camps Bay and a festival line-up that features six feature films, six short films, eight short films by emerging filmmakers, along with five documentaries.
Once again taking place in Cape Town's seabreeze-filled Camps Bay suburb, festival-goers will get to talk show inside the Bay Hotel and Theatre on the Bay while attending various masterclasses, themed panel discussions and workshops, while getting the chance to gaze at episodes of new TV pilots.
The festival will conclude on 31 August with the ritzy blue-carpeted Silwerskerm award ceremony at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) which will be broadcast a day later on 1 September on kykNET (DStv 144).
"We believe in the future of Afrikaans
film and television, in the importance of a wide variety of voices, and in the
power of stories to change people's lives," says Waldimar Pelser,
director of M-Net Premium Channels.
"The kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival aims to
do everything possible to discover new storytellers, put talent in the
spotlight, and to provide the industry with a space where people can talk, show
and come together, with Afrikaans as the glue that binds us," he says.
"The film industry changes constantly, and it certainly faces many economic challenges. Therefore, it is important for kykNET to produce, and help produce films and TV that are commercially amenable, and that will reach the biggest possible audiences in order to keep the industry sustainable."
"We will also continue, even if on a smaller scale, to invest in niche projects that are less commercial but valuable in the context of our culture and our country."
After launching and expanding with a "shotgun shorts" project last year for professional short films, kykNET will debut these films at the festival in August. These will be screened besides six feature films, eight short films by emerging filmmakers, as well as five short documentaries.
Also on the programme for a second year since its introduction last year, are the first public screening of pilot episodes of upcoming new TV series.
Various workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions with experts and film industry leaders are also on the programme, with topics ranging from how the co-production space is growing, to intimacy coordination on set and adapting works from book to screen. Festival organisers are also making it easier for the public to attend individual screenings and sessions with tickets that can be bought from 26 June through Quicket for specific programme events.
Here is the 12th kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival screening line-up:
FEATURE FILMS
Die
dekonstruksie van Retta Blom
Based on Zelda Bezuidenhout's debut chick-lit novel adapted by Henriëtta Gryffenberg adapted.
This drama offers a
glimpse into the life of Retta (Antoinette Louw), a housewife who had been content
for many years with her role as a mother of two boys, and as a wife to Tobias. The
film depicts her deconstruction as she starts questioning the so-called certainties
of her life.
Gebokste Liefde
Annelize Frost makes her feature film directorial debut with this Showmax
Original romcom.
Tarryn
Wyngaard stars as divorced single mom, Suma-Lee. When she’s fired from her job
as a fashion designer, she joins a boxing gym and finally finds the courage to
stand up for herself and fight for what she wants. Also starring Roché Killian and Jandré le Roux.
Die Bloedhonde
This original murder mystery has Stiaan Smith as director and screenwriter.
Elani Dekker stars as Katrien, whose holiday with her family is cut short by an unexplained
death in a resort. Katrien suspects the beloved local reverend, played by Tobie Cronjé, as the evildoer.
Also starring Waldemar Schultz and Anrich Herbst.
Som van Twee
A comedy with Simoné Pretorius as director and screenwriter.
Louw Venter portrays Henk, a
psychologist who wants to give up on life after his wife's death.
He struggles
to communicate with his son Renier (Adriaan Havenga). At his wife’s funeral, Henk
admits to an old misdemeanour: leaking the matric maths paper to the entire Barberton.
His confession results in a dramatic domino effect of comical adventures.
Also starring James Borthwick, Greteli de
Swardt, Righard van Jaarsveld and Pierre Breytenbach.
Die Kwiksilwers
Lida Botha portrays Elsabé Marais, a widow in her eighties
whose three friends (June van Merch, Susanne Beyers and Theresa Sedras) convince
her to join them on a hilarious road trip through the Karoo to experience a meteor shower in Sutherland.
Hier.Na
Starring Quanita Adams who is also the director and screenwriter.
The movie addresses issues that affect communities and their faith, and
tells the story of the Burgess clan, an open-minded family from Cape Town’s
northern suburbs.
Quanita portrays Juleigha, who prefers to be called Julie and
describes herself as a "non-practising Muslim". When she suddenly succumbs to a heart attack, her secular husband, Eric (David Isaacs),
grants their daughter Leila (Shiefaa Hendricks) her wish to arrange a Muslim
funeral together with Julie's mother Sumaya (June van Merch). Eric, Leila,
Sumaya and Julie's son, Deen (Lyle October), now have to navigate the undercurrents of
many years in one single stormy day to secure a funeral before sunset as
required by Muslim tradition.
Breathing In
A horror film set during the Anglo Boer War with Jaco Bouwer as director. A gravely wounded Boer general is nursed by a mysterious
traditional healer and her out worldly daughter, has to face a far greater
danger than the English soldiers.
SHORT FILMS
Die Groot Twis
A Johann Vermaak film characterised by a delightful retro approach and featuring puppets created by Marelize
Viljoen. The film provides a satirical view on The Great Trek with an absurd perspective on historical figures and events.
Die Skynwerper
A psychological
drama by Dewet van Rooyen and Linsen Loots that tells the story of Nelis (Ben
Albertyn) who is caught up in his dark past. He lives in isolation with his embittered,
paralysed father (Dawid Minnaar). After an
incident at his work that leads to his dismissal, he auditions for a part in a
reality series, Die skynwerper but something
is not quite right.
Liewe Dudu
A comedy penned by Lydia
Anne Stander about Dudu (Gugu Madlanbane), a sprightly beauty therapist who
works at a stereotypical day spa in Pretoria. During the annual inspection,
Dudu's day turns into complete chaos. Also starring Millie Dintoe, Zetske
van Pletzen and Jaco Muller.
Marie se Laaste Dag
Lourensa Eckard and Mercy Kannemeyer combined their talents to produce
this comedy tale set in the period after the first democratic election in 1994.
Marie (Mandri
Sunderland), the long-time secretary of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Hendrik
van der Merwe (Deon Lotz), is tasked to arrange a meeting with the new Defense
Minister, Mayihlome Khumalo (Dumisani Mbebe).
Noise & Neighbours
A drama by Fraser du
Toit. A story about a bored little girl and a man who has given up all hope.
Bolelo (Maliaka Adonis), daughter of a working single mom, spends her days
alone. The grumpy Helmut (Tobie Cronjé) lives in a flat downstairs. But when Bolelo
gets a piano as a birthday present, everything changes.
O, Griet! Sy's droog
A dramatic arts film. The artist Johan
van der Merwe (Ugan Daniels) literally captured three women in separate framed
paintings. Hanging next to one another on a wall, they can't go return to the
real world outside. Their only salvation is a new portrait of a girl wearing
pearls, who possesses magic powers.
Ons
A dramatic thriller
by Izel Bezuidenhout, featuring the married couple, Liezl (Izel Bezuidenhout) and
Dirk (Jacques Adriaanse), whose relationship is shaken to the core by a series
of revelations and a fatal incident. They are forced to face their deepest
fears, insecurities and the consequences of their actions.
Steek vir Steek
A comedy by Jacqueline Viljoen and Jaco van Bosch that follows Rita (Susan Coetzer), an
elderly woman, and the ladies of her knitting club who become aware that their retirement home is up for sale. They collaborate to confront Gertjie (Andrew Jordaan), the
young owner of the place.
With the help
of the receptionist Koekie (Jacqueline Viljoen), Rita creates an online dating
app to meet older men and raise funds so save the home.
DOCUMENTARIES
By die Soutwater
A documentary by Marguerite
Venter and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation that puts the spotlight on the other
side of the V&A Waterfront in the heart of Cape Town, where a team of
marine specialists, scientists and volunteers try to protect sea animals from
tourists and an active commercial harbour.
Jan Bloed
A documentary that focuses on the life of Alister
Fortuin, aka Jan Bloed, a former member of the Fast Gun gang in Westbury,
Johannesburg. He also is a former general of the notorious 26 gang. We see the
place where he has committed his first murder, his "flower dens", and we meet
the people from his past. His son Vercaino is also in jail. Will father and son
be reunited, or will their paths go in different directions?
Maak stil die geblaf
Marisa van
Tonder's love for animals and a visit to De Doorns inspired this film.
It follows a group of eleven-year-olds and their dogs
in a farming community. As the children go about their lives in an environment marked
by limited opportunities and violence close to home, they teach Tiger, Fluffy,
Sussa and Lady to jump hurdles and navigate them through tunnels.
Tussen die draad en die dropper
Photojournalist Willem van der Berg goes on a mission to track down the Karoo’s master fencer. Willem has a long
and close friendship with Hans Jors, about whom he wrote an article in 2015. But
now Hans is nowhere to be found and the farmer whose Karoo kingdom was fenced
in by Hans, refuses to provide information. This is a story about people born
on the wrong side of the fence.
Vergeet van my
A musical
documentary made by Dirkie van der Merwe and the actor Beer Adriaanse.
When Beer's parents cleaned out their storeroom in 2021, they discovered a
forgotten crate containing photos, journals and plastic bags with tapes that
were recorded during various music tours. The treasure trove highlights a
series of events from an almost forgotten period in the South African music
industry. Archive material spanning more than a decade during a revival of alternative
Afrikaans music, unveil a story of discovery, coming of age and the dream to be part of something bigger. With
music by Zinkplaat, Foto na Dans, eF-eL, Straatligkinders, Tidal Waves and New Holland.
SHOTGUN SHORTS
Baas se honne
Directed by Bennie Fourie. A dark comedy about the life and
times of Gys (Albert Pretorius). His existence is a mess, and he finds himself
in a dark corner. His boss Roelf (Carel Nel) burdens him with an unwanted dog
that Gys must put out.
Deuntjie
A musical comedy that features that little voice in everybody's head. In the case of
Deuntjie (Anja Taljaard), a shy, obedient girl, her inner voice manifests as
Vera (Daneel van der Walt), a larger-than-life diva accompanied by two backing vocalists, Moses and Jacob. They sing and causes havoc in poor Deuntjie’s head. Chaos ensues
when Deuntjie can no longer distinguish between reality and the voices.
Also starring Dean Smith and Cindy Swanepoel.
Die boodskapper
A fantasy story produced by Rebecca Scher and directed by Paul
Crafford.
A model clay man comes to life when the tears of Jake (Liam Kruger),
a young boy caught in a bitter conflict between his parents, falls on him. Jake
has made the little fellow from modelling clay himself, but now the model is on
a mission: He must find a discarded letter written by Jake’s dad Frank (Emile
Hager), and see it delivered to Jake’s mom, Susan (Izaan du Toit).
In die verloop van
Written by Philip Rademeyer and Emma Kotze. An intimate film focusing on everyday life amidst a tragic personal loss. It tells
the story of Jana (Emma Kotze) and Chris (Wilhelm van der Walt) who wake up
after an eventful night. Both are caught up in their own thoughts, but
something between them remains unsaid. As they go through their morning
routine, the events of the previous evening are gradually revealed.
Liminale
A science fiction drama by Hanneke Schutte. It explores the
broken psyche of the depressed Mia (Inge Beckmann), who finds herself in a
futuristic institution while being harassed by memories of her husband’s abuse.
A psychiatrist, Dr Venter (Michele Burgers), introduces her to the
groundbreaking new form of VR therapy.
Selah
With director Brett Michael Innes. A disturbing
exploration of postnatal depression and the unvoiced challenges of new parents who
struggle to cope. It is about a mother (Erica Wessels) who struggles with her
colic baby.
Stilte
Director and cinematographer Jozua Malherbe creates a rich,
immersive visual dream full of conflicting emotions
around a poem by Hunter Kennedy about fatherhood and how we change over time
yet remain the same.
