Slamdance 2019 - We Are Thankful
A film based on real events, re-enacted by those who lived through them, "We Are Thankful" is the story of Siyabonga Majola, a young man from a South African township with dreams of being a actor who does all he can to make his dreams a reality when a film production comes to a nearby town.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Joshua Magor
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It started back in my home town in South Africa, where I was writing and preparing to make a different film entirely. While doing so I was running these open-door acting workshops that were free and open for any and everybody who was willing to come. I had hoped that through these workshops I could help teach and disperse skills as well as potentially find some good people to play characters in the film. It was really a way of trying to form these bridges between different groups of people that would not normally interact with each other. This, in particular, turned out to be very successful as we had people come from the rich neighbourhoods, people from the townships, all races, religions, it was a very diverse group. I had been advertising the workshops in newspapers, magazines, online, wherever I could.
One day, I received an email from Siyabonga Majola (the eventual main character of the film). In it, he said that he had heard I was making a film in the area and he would do anything to be a part of it. He was from a nearby township and over the years, despite lack of money and more or less working in total obscurity, had devoted himself to writing (theatre) plays and finding ways to perform them. We arranged to meet a few days later. The day came.
I was sitting down, my thoughts drifting, not sure of what to what to expect, when he arrived. It was a very strong entrance. He walked in dressed to the nines. White shirt gleaming, smart shoes shining. He had clearly gone to a lot of effort and, knowing where he had come from, must have appeared as quite an irregular sight to those whose path he crossed that morning. So we sat down and talked, and the more we talked, the more I learned about him and the more he revealed to me who he was. I was totally overwhelmed by this deep sense of determination in the man – a feeling that he was someone who would stop at nothing. I went back home that night and found myself completely consumed and moved to tears by the strength of our encounter. That night, I threw away all my previous plans and decided to make a film about him and about this moment.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it is a very good film. Bold, surprising and inventive. Definitely unlike any film you would have seen before and will present to you a new perspective that hopefully will leave you with something to chew on.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My focus is not on orchestrating themes and finding ways to mix them into the work. It's about confronting life with honesty and rigor. The themes will emerge naturally from the people and the places you're working with, and from each viewer's personal dialogue with the work.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The final script for the film was very short, about five pages – I never brought it on set with me because by the time of shooting it had developed orally, existing in the oral collective consciousness of the players and the production team. So to have it on-hand was not important. It would have gotten in the way of us reacting with our instincts to what might be happening in front of us. It is a matter of making sure to have a balance of structure and freedom. At the beginning, the ideas which one might refer to as the script are very numerous and sprawling, but over time it is my intention to condense and purify these ideas to the point where we've achieved their essence.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far it had been extremely positive. We have managed to show the film at some big festivals (We made our World Premiere at Locarno Film Festival) and those who have seen it have all seemed to enjoy the film and its approach.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. If you make the film you believe in, as best as you can with the means you have then that is it. The nature of the feedback is not that important. Of course, from an egoistic perspective it feels good to have your work celebrated, but once the film is made the work really belongs to the people who watch it. It exists is for them to have a relationship with. You can't control what people say about the work nor is what they say always that valid. So I feel it's best to stay focused on the work you want to do and doing it as well as possible.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope that some people may become curious about the project and hopefully go and see it when they get a chance.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Ideally, a sales agent and distributors to help us share this work, that we believe in so much, with more people. Of course the film can only benefit from having more screenings at other festivals and having more journalists talk about the film will all help so they will be welcomed with open arms.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ideally, some will be moved by the honesty of the film and drawn in by its construction, but I think I want people to come and watch and make their minds up for themselves. If some people like it and connect with it that will be very nice and we all will be pleased, but if others don't that is fine too. I think its very problematic to try and please everyone and a film attempting to do so will result in a weak piece of work.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
This is difficult, I have never thought about this question. I'm not sure, I think the film leaves one in a reflective state of mind and if while in that state one come to the understanding that cinema is possible anywhere and that there is great importance in dignity of the human being then that is enough. It's not really an answer to the question, but I don't think I have any good answers for that specific question.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now I am in the early development stages of my next feature "Sea Within A Sea".
Interview: January 2019
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
We Are Thankful
A film based on real events, re-enacted by those who lived through them, "We Are Thankful" is the story of Siyabonga Majola, a young man from a South African township with dreams of being a actor who does all he can to make his dreams a reality when a film production comes to a nearby town.
Length: 1:34:00
Director: Joshua Magor
Producer: Joshua Magor
Writer: Joshua Magor
About the writer, director and producer:
JOSHUA MAGOR is a South African writer, director, cinematographer and producer. He is the Founder of Other People, an independent production company and alumni of the London Film School. Working as a director, writer and cinematographer Joshua’s short films have been screened and won awards at over twenty festivals around the world. He has participated in various development programs and and most recently was selected to participate in Berlinale Talents at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. Most recently his debut feature “Siyabonga” was selected for the Official Competition at Locarno Film Festival, making its world premiere in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente section. “Siyabonga” made its domestic premiere at the Cape Town International Film Festival in the Official Competition and its North American Premiere at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival.
Key cast: Siyabonga MAJOLA as themselves, Sabelo KHOZA as themselves, Xolani “X” MALINGA as themselves, Amanda NCUBE as themselves, Percy Mncedicy ZULU as themselves, Ntokozo MKHIZE as themselves, Sibusiso “Sbu” NZAMA as themselves, Luthando “Cminzah” NGCOBO as themselves, Mancane DLOMO as themselves, Nkanyiso NDUMISO, as themselves, Nonduh ZUMA as themselves, Mondli NDLOVU as themselves, Thembalihle MNCADI as themselves, Joshua MAGOR as themselves
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Siyabonga Film
Website: www.other-people.co
Other: IMDB
Made in association with: Other People
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Slamdance Film Festival/ Park City Utah - 1/28 (12:45), 1/31 (10:45)