Director Ugh Carlini is a previous Talents Durban participant whose latest film Alison is a previous Durban FilmMart project, and now the film, screened at this year’s Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), has been confirmed for theatrical release at Nu Metro Cinemas on 12 August.
The hybrid feature documentary reflects on the unfortunate events that took place in December 1994 when two men raped, stabbed and disembowelled Alison Botha after they abducted her from outside her home in Port Elizabeth. Against all odds, Alison defied death and has lived to tell her story and inspire other. Her book, I Have Life, published by Penguin SA in 1998, has remained on the Penguin SA bestsellers list and has been translated into seven different languages. Botha was also, reportedly, the first-ever South African to publicly speak out about being a rape victim, and has become a well-respected motivational speaker, sharing her tale of courage and the resilience of the human spirit with audiences around the world.
“It’s a big moment when you share something that you really believe in with others – a little nervous at what their reaction will be. And that moment becomes significant and pivotal when they choose to believe in it too,’ says Botha.
The film’s cast includes Christia Visser, Zak Hendrikz, De Klerk Oelofse and Francois Maree. Alison is directed and produced by Carlini from Towerkop Creations and made in association with kykNET Films, the DTI, the NFVF and Waterfront Film Studios. The film is distributed by Black Sheep Films.
Watch the trailer:
