Pan African Film Festival - The Wall
The tribe of hate overlaps the existence of humanity
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Terwadkar Rajiv
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This is a true story from my life. A brick layer (Jacob) was building a boundary wall of my house, took an advance for the work and next day didn't pitch up for the job. Upon inquiring & investigating; I came to know that the day he got the advance from me, he became a victim of the xenophobic attacks in Tembisa (South Africa). I felt really bad that I doubted him, thinking he ran away with the money. I wrote, directed & produced this story in his memory!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The world is full of discrimination. There are many countries where xenophobic attacks happen. This is an effort to show the outcome of the attack and begin an initiative to "Say NO to Xenophobia".
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This story happened in my life directly / indirectly. The same kind of stories are happening around the world. This is my effort to combine personal story with universal phenomenon.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Initially it was just a story from my life. As I drilled down into more details by visiting various place where Jacob (Victim of Xenophobic Attack) and a few others were staying, I got more information about the politics and the root causes of the incident. The original screenplay was shared with few of my friends from the film industry for comments. Some feedback helped to develop the characters.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have received good and bad feedback.
5.1 Many people liked the fact that I am addressing a big issue through this film.
5.2 Many audiences liked outside shots especially the run through the Township. Few said "We get a Hollywood style feeling of the film during these scenes!"
5.3 Another feedback was "This is a great story for a Hollywood Film". I am already fine tuning the script for possible Hollywood Feature Film.
5.4 Feedback "Why is a non-African is trying to show an African Story?" - This was one of the questions in Los Angeles at the Pan African Film Festival. Almost all audiences were upset and angry at the person who asked me this question. When the person came to know my attachment with the film and story and emotional association, she cooled down.
5.5 Many audiences have asked if this is true about Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa?
5.6 Few people came to me and explained the stories they have been through.
5.7 Few complemented me about the efforts taken to make this film into reality besides all odds during the shoot!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Some Feedback definitely surprised me, especially when one lady asked me: "Why is an Indian doing an African film?". I explained to her that Indians are also Africans like African Americans, which she disagreed with. The entire audience stood by me / supported me for my efforts.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like to market this film on internet so that I can get more audiences internationally and attract more Film Festivals & probable buyers for this film. I would also like to spread the word about these incidents around the world to stop xenophobic attacks everywhere! Initiate a campaign in South Africa to screen the film in most of the townships and encourage them to stop these attacks.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
My dream is to produce this story along with 3 other stories as a Hollywood Feature Film. It will be great if I can get A list Actors for this film along with Producers from USA / Canada. Market this film into many other Film Festivals, Journalists, Buyers and distributors.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
As mentioned before, I would like to make this as a drive against Xenophobic Attacks around the world!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The Key question is "Why discriminate & divide ourselves? We all are Africans, why not unite and bring "Ubuntu" cultural integration / revolution?"
Would you like to add anything else?
Challenges during the shoot -
11.1 We were threatened to kill when we were shooting in Alexandra, the chase scene and mod scene.
11.2 I went on top of the old Petrol Station to shoot a drone shot. Once I finished the shoot, more than 50 people were standing, waiting for me to get down. As that area is one of the most dangerous area, I had to call the police before I came down to secure myself and my drone.
11.3 One of the young white crew member was "MAN HANDLED" during the production. She was friendly with the people around & tried to take photos with local people from the community near a Tavern. We had to stop the shoot for 2 days, get Police, Community Police and Private Security guard on the set to continue the shoot for the safety of the crew members.
11.4 Extras from the area demanded 2 beer bottles each before carrying out the actual attack scene. Later we came to know that 3 of the extras were part of the real Xenophobic Attack in Alexandra, who threatened us to stop the shoot if not given Beer Crates.
11.5 Few people from Alexandra disturbed the shoot by simply coming straight into Camera after saying Action. Most of them were drunk and were expecting money. Only after paying them 100 rands each, they agreed not to disturb.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working on a few Projects
12.1 Making this story into a Feature Film with bigger and better Actors. Working title being "The Wall"
12.2 A period story from 1940s of a Kid Mandla who travels all the way from North of South Africa to Durban to bring Sea Water for his ill father.
12.3 An Adventure Travel Show - 26 episodes promoting South Africa on India Today TV & eTV (South Africa)
Interview: April 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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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The Wall
The tribe of hate overlaps the existence of humanity
Length: 24 minutes
Director: Terwadkar Rajiv
Producer: Terwadkar Rajiv
Writer: Terwadkar Rajiv
About the writer, director and producer:
Terwadkar Rajiv is a Mechanical Engineer with passion for producing True Stories, Inspired by True Event Stories, Inspirational Stories or Message driven stories. Rajiv has worked on following projects in various capacities.
The Last Victims (The Last Victims) - Producer & Writer
Free State (Feature) - Producer - 17+ Film Festivals winning 3 International Awards
The Wall (Large Short) - Writer, Director, Producer - which is officially selected In 4 international Film Festivals.
Penchi Nali (Short) - Writer, Director, Producer
Shiku Anande (Large Short) - Executive Producer & Actor
Maza Around The World Season - 4 (Travel Show) on South Africa - 9 Episodes for ABP Maza TV Channel
The Big Day (Short) - Producer
Working on 3 inspired by true events South African Feature Films Ubuntu, The Wall & A 1930 Story
Working on Adventure Travel Show in South Africa - 26 episodes for International Market
Key cast: Phumello Nkosi, Velli Dludlu, Nalini Subrayen & Zubair Khan
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Looking for Film Festival Directors, Journalists & Distributors for this Short film
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWallAnAfricanStory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/terajiv
Instagram:
Funders: Terwadkar Rajiv & Abhijeet Deshpande
Made in association with: Utkarsh Entertainment Pty LtdWhere can I watch it next and in the coming month? - The film is been shortlisted in 2 Film Festivals in India and 3 groups which show international films in 30 cities in India. It will also be shown in townships across South Africa in next 6 months. There is no screening planned this month.