Johannesburg-based Mannequin Pictures has optioned Matt Ackley’s screenplay, Victoria
Falls, and plans to go into pre-production in South Africa in spring 2014.
Ackley, who was the recipient of the Academy of Motion Arts & Sciences’ Nicholl
Fellowship in 2009, is an American who has spent time in Kenya.
Says Mannequin Pictures producer Delon Bakker: “Matt’s screenplay is now in its final
draft. We are looking at a budget of US$5m and are collaborating with Los Angeles-
based company, Parke Afia Films, on the project.
“Victoria Falls is set during the 2001 Zimbabwean elections, when land reform is rife. The
story focuses on a young black Zimbabwean farmhand born into the white African world,
and how his loyalties are tested as the farm is pillaged and Zimbabwe is ripped apart.
The story is not only a fantastic drama, but highlights the injustices that took place.
“We plan to shoot in South Africa, with a few days in Zimbabwe. If it is not possible to
film in Zimbabwe then we will look to shoot in Zambia.’
Bakker is in talks with several actors and directors but nothing has been locked in yet.
He reports that the service division of Mannequin Films recently facilitated the Indian
feature film Mountain of the Moon (Chander Pahar), produced by Shree Venkatesh Films.
The film stars South African actor Gerard Rudolf and India’s Dev (Deepak Adhikari).
“With its wild landscapes and variety of animals, South Africa offered the perfect location
solution for this action-packed film, which includes horse riding, elephant stampedes,
lion attacks, mountain climbing and a face-to-face encounter with a black mamba,’ notes
Bakker who is supervising producer on the film.
