When sex worker Tess falls pregnant, she has to fight to keep her past from swallowing her whole.

Interview with Director Meg Rickards

Congratulations! Why are you making your film?

I wanted to make Tess to explore things which were keeping me awake at night.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The story is a gripping and moving one, and the lead’s performance is courageous and true.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The themes — sexual violence, abuse, taboos, empowerment — are urgent in terms of South Africa, but they are also universal, of course. I think my treatment of these is more personal than the themes themselves.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script was adapted by Tracey Farren, the author of the book on which the film is based. The script started off being very “book-ish”, very dialogue-driven, and very complex. Over the course of the development, as well as the shooting and editing, the story became more sparse and far more visually told.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been incredible. The film has really tapped into the local zeitgeist - I think the timing has been just right. People are at their wits’ ends about our high rates of sexual violence — and the film has stirred up a lot of emotion and very necessary debate. The film is being used by a lot of non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups. As I type this I’m sitting outside a community screening. It’s also done well on the local circuit and in festivals on different continents.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The only thing I’d like to go back and change is presenting the film with a trigger warning up front. The film has been more traumatic than I would have intended for a few people. At the same time, we needed a bold approach to reach less sensitive viewers and to open up dialogue.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would like the film to reach more people - that’s it. The film has an international sales agent (The Little Film Company) and is currently selling to distributors.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Buyers, distributors and film festival directors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like the film to make people think about how they view violence towards women and children, and why in certain societies, these things are so taboo.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What are the ethics of screening sexual violence? How much is too much? Is there “a line” that one shouldn’t cross?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Borderlines - an adaptation of the political thriller by Michela Wrong, set in the Horn of Africa

Tipping Point - an action adventure film set in the underworld of the rhino horn trade

Snake - a psychological thriller about a little farm girl who watches a charming stranger destroy her family.

Interview: July 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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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TESS

When sex worker Tess falls pregnant, she has to fight to keep her past from swallowing her whole.

Length: 86 minutes

Director: Meg Rickards

Producer: Paul Egan and Kim Williams

Writer: Tracey Farren

About the writer, director and producer:

Writer: Tracey Farren is a well-beloved South African author who has published Whiplash (re-published as Tess), as well as the novel Snake and many short stories. She has a psychology and journalism background.

Director: Meg Rickards is a writer-director who has made the miniseries Land of Thirst, and co-directed (with Bert Haitsma) the feature documentary 1994: the bloody miracle. Tess is her first theatrical feature film.

Producers: Paul Egan and Kim Williams work with Meg in Boondogle Films. Paul also produced the award-winning 1994: the bloody miracle and Kim has worked for a number of years in film finance and co-production.

Key cast: Christia Visser, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Brendon Daniels

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Whiplashfilm/

Twitter: @Tessfilm

Other: http://boondogle.co.za/portfolio-items/tess/

Funders: Department of Trade and Industry, the National Film and Video Foundation of South

Africa, KykNET, Thundafund

Made in association with: Boondogle Films

Where can I see it in the next month? The World Cinema Festival in Amsterdam