When Thabang Moleya, the director of South African romantic comedy Happiness is a Four Letter Word, discovered what the role of a director was, he was instinctually drawn towards it. The shoe fit and now the 34-year-old is set on storytelling and making a difference.
What is your background and how has this shaped you as a director?
TM: I majored in art during high school and focused on painting and photography as my majors. I fell in love with photography and some friends and I started writing and shooting our own short films.
Describe the moment when you decided you wanted to become a director.
TM: I’ve always been a storyteller, I just didn’t know there was something called ‘directing’ but when I learned that I could do it as a career I didn’t even second guess it, it was impulsive.
Where do you find inspiration?
TM: I draw inspiration from everything and anything – from the good and the bad. I have a close circle of friends and my family keeps me motivated and inspired too.
Do you have any mentors?
TM: People I look up to that have nurtured my growth and I still seek advice from are Desiree Markgraaff and Roy Zetisky. They both played a vital role in my youth and I still ask for their advice and assistance when I feel lost.
What are your personal career milestones?
TM: Two milestones stand out for me, the first was winning Best Short Film at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival (Sithengi) and the second was when I received an iEmmy nomination under Best Drama Series – the festival in New York was an unforgettable experience.
Which projects are you currently involved in?
TM: I am a commercials director at Bouffant, so that keeps me busy. I am working on my next feature film but I’m still in the early stages of scripting. I’m also setting up an NGO aimed at empowering the youth through film and TV.
What are your least favourite parts of the job?
TM: Not being able to bring my dog on set. And an unprepared actor.
What has been your hairiest moment on set?
TM: By the time you’re on set everything is worked out. It’s the time during the preparation that can be hairy. ‘People management’ is the strongest quality a director can have; listening to ideas and taking what’s valid without letting your ego get in the way. An ego is the greatest enemy to an idea.
What are your all-time three favourite films and why?
TM:
- City of God: they shot that film with raw, first-time actors.
- Heat: Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in one movie is the ultimate dream for most directors.
- Raging Bull: I’m a Martin Scorsese fan.
What’s it like directing a chick flick?
TM: Directing any genre is challenging, the most important thing I had to keep in mind was the story and to get great performances, the ‘chick flick’ genre is only a backdrop of the world we are in. Capturing a high-end glossy world was a lot of fun. I learned a lot about taste and of course shoes.
Do you feel any pressure directing a movie based on an award-winning book?
TM: It was challenging but Cynthia Jele laid a beautiful foundation for us to work with, we had to take what would work cinematically and adapt that into the story. The final script draft was a collective contribution of different ideas we had, but keeping the core ideals of the book in mind helped us narrow down what was really important and necessary.
What is the most challenging genre to direct (TV series, commercials, long form)?
TM: They are all different beasts to tackle. I don’t think one can compare them. Endurance though is vital on long form; your mind and body need to be prepared for the long haul and maintaining that focus over a lengthy duration can be very challenging and tiring.
What location would you really like to shoot at?
TM: I want to shoot all over the world, places that are rich with texture and have interesting people. I love faces and how people’s faces can tell you a story in only an image; the hardships, the trails, tribulations and victories.
Describe yourself in five years.
TM: I have a really deep passion for empowering young minds through the medium of film and TV and I believe there’s a great percentage that can’t afford these institutions. The only way to leave a legacy is by teaching others. So with that said I want to open a film school in Tembisa; I want to make films that will make people cry and fall in love; and I want to do great commercials and win awards that I will forget about. I just want to make a difference.
