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ACTORS from Pietermaritzburg have been given a chance to shine thanks to the film Ubuntu and Anger, which will be screened at Midlands Cine Centre at the Liberty Midlands Mall at 7 pm tonight.
The film was written and directed by Cuba Ikaneng, who has worked on the television shows Gospel Time, Take 5, Big Up, The Chatroom and several films for e.tv’s eKasi Stories.
Shot in the city and in Sweetwaters, Swayimane and New Hanover, the film is part of the three-pronged project that aims to enhance the profile of the arts in Maritzburg.
“We want to give back and to expand the film industry … we want to incubate the talent here and see how far we can take it,” Ikaneng said. “We don’t want film to be limited to big cities like Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, but want to create and grow the industry in smaller towns and cities.”
Ubuntu and Anger, which stars Elewani Moremela, who has appeared in several eKasi Stories, and Zakhele Msibi, from Isibaya, tells the cautionary tale of a young woman who goes in search of her roots and doesn’t find what she expected.
“Our film asks the question: if you already have an identity, should you take the risk and try to find a new one?,” said Ikaneng. “It also reflects on the idea of anger and whether anger can co-exist with the concept of Ubuntu.”
Producer of the film Lungile Ikaneng is passionate about creating new platforms, and having grown up in Pietermaritzburg, she believes in the potential of the uMgungundlovu District as a place to shoot movies.
“Pietermaritzburg has the best views and locations that can be used to create jobs,” she said.
Cuba added that Ubuntu and Anger, which took three weeks to shoot, had given the local economy a boost.
“We brought in a crew of 15 people, which provided an income for the hotel for three weeks,” he said. “We also used local caterers and we paid people to rent their homes.”
Tickets for tonight’s screening of Ubuntu and Anger, which is in Zulu with English subtitles, can be bought at the box office.
The third stage of the project will see Mobile Stage Productions Africa and Vudubox Media producing a thriller, this time starring a cast drawn entirely from the Maritzburg region.
“We are already looking for locations for the next film which will be shot in September,” said Cuba. “People wishing to participate should contact us at 079 755 2254 or visit our website www.vuduboxmedia.co.za”
