Cannes Short Film Corner 2018 - Izilwane
Grace, a struggling, homeless woman battles to provide a better life for her 6-year-old brother, Kgosi, as she yearns to one day take him to the beach. But, this dream is halted when Kgosi, goes missing. Grace must then hunt for the man who she believes has her brother. Along the way she discovers more than she intended, and must make an impossible choice.
Interview with Writer/Director Kyllian Roux
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The themes explored throughout the narrative are ones close to my heart. Most of the characters and events in this film are inspired by real people and events which I have seen from doing charity work in the city of Johannesburg. I have seen everything from young women with rotting flesh on their feet sleep under highways in mid-winter, to watching grown men cry for their kids that they aren’t allowed to see.
For several years, I have built a relationship with these individuals. And, from time spent with them I encountered the beauty of their humanity and their undying resolve to find hope.
From my own experience, I was made aware to the fact that they seemed more capable of compassion, depth and love.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Our objective for an audience member is to watch the film and understand. We want them to see the the kind of choices these individuals are plagued with almost daily. To understand what it means to be unable to provide for those you love, and then having to give them up, if it means them experiencing a better life.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal Theme: This is the question asked: Can she let go? This is the key question asked in the climax of the film. This scene in the film is it about making a choice of letting someone you have loved and protected their entire life go so they can possible have something better. Why this is relevant emotionally to the audience is because it can be adapted into any relationship, whereby one individual feels like they are holding the other back.
Universal/General Theme: The general themes in the narrative deal with provision. Provision works in conjunction with things such as providing food, dealing with diseases and attempting to overcome poverty. The film in its purest level looks at people living within poverty and unable to provide for those around them.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
In order to tell the story as truthfully as possible, with accurate representation. Myself and the crew would go out and shoot mini documentaries. Which would either inform the current script or produce a complete overhaul of the narrative and structure. Over time we found characters and plot directions which we were all happy with. One key element which changed for the better in particular was the production design. The early version of the script had the characters living under a bridge in the city. But, through multiple meetings and location scouts with our PD Lauren Boy, the the living space was molded into something that was a seamless fit for the style of the narrative and the characters within.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been good thus far, it seems that the audiences have understood what we were trying to say… The film has even the won the Audience Choice Award at the AFDA awards ceremony.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Personally, the feedback has surprised me. It’s always gamble to try and create something with a theme woven within that viewer will understand. I was afraid that I did not do enough for this message to come across. But, that did not seem to be the case, from the public that has seen the film so far. Many of them understood what the film was trying to say and portray.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like the film to be seen by those who understand how hard it is to not only give a voice to the voiceless, but finding someone willing to listen. I believe this platform will give the wings this project needs to be seen by those who care about the themes projected in this picture and are willing to do something.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this stage any help from film festival directors and journalists would be the most welcomed. They have the unique capacity to grant the story the ability to travel to new audiences, therefore permitting the message to extend to more like minded individuals.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like those who view the film to have a greater understanding for those living on the street. The goal is for the audience to have a deeper view into the lives of people living within harsh conditions, especially when trying to raise a child.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Should I give to the person I love most, if it means giving them a better life?
Would you like to add anything else?
I would like to thank all those involved in the creation of this film, who I have not mentioned already. Our incredibly talented producer Kaylee Prentice, the hardworking visionary behind the lens Ivaan Gobie, Gareth King for is meticulous editing style and workflow, Skye Deacon for her unusual yet informed ideas as well as her keen ear and finally the strikingly nuanced performances given by our cast: Galaletsang Koffman, Kgosi Motsai, Kayla Ahmed, Simone Singh and Nkanyiso Shabalala.
And a special thanks to AFDA college, Aerial and Satellite City, Crystal Church and the musical talents of Chris Swai and Melissa Ommeh I could not have done any of this without this splendid group of people supporting, crafting and shaping this idea into reality.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently I am in post-production for a documentary called 3 Flavours of Chongqing, which was shot in China last month, exploring the food culture within the city and what it means to the locals beyond taste. In addition to this me and my producer Kaylee Prentice are in the pre-production phase of a feature length film.
Interview: May 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Izilwane
Grace, a struggling, homeless woman battles to provide a better life for her 6-year-old brother, Kgosi, as she yearns to one day take him to the beach. But, this dream is halted when Kgosi, goes missing. Grace must then hunt for the man who she believes has her brother. Along the way she discovers more than she intended, and must make an impossible choice.
Length: 22:12
Director: Kyllian Roux
Producer: Kaylee Prentice
Writer: Kyllian Roux
About the writer, director and producer: Kyllian Roux is a multiple award winning Writer/Director, with an Honours Degree in Motion Picture Medium. He has Written/Directed 10 short films and 2 documentaries.
Key cast: Galaletsang Koffman, Simone Singh, Kayla Ahmed
Looking for distributors, film festival directors and journalists
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/izilwanefilm/
Made in association with: AFDA
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? The Cannes Short Film Corner 2018