Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe-Etim is currently in Cape Town shooting the film
Shussh, based on the novel Whiplash by Tracey Farren.
Ikpe-Etim plays Madeleine, a refugee who comes to South Africa after suffering
horrific war-time in the Congo.
She forms a close bond with Tess, a young sex worker whose life is in turmoil –
played by South Africa actress Christia Visser.
“Shussh is such a piercing story and it haunted me for days,’ said
Ikpe-Etim. “A chance to bring Madeleine to life is truly humbling because there is
always that one thing which you know has killed your will to die, for death would be
far too easy.’
The film is directed by Meg Rickards, who co-directed the documentary 1994:
The Bloody Miracle.
Whiplash, the book on which Shussh is based, was short-
listed for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize in 2009, and honoured with a White Ribbon
Award by Women Demand Dignity. The film is produced by Paul Egan and Kim
Williams at Boondogle Films, with a female-dominated crew.
The team is planning an outreach project to accompany the film’s release in 2016.
