If you didn’t think that a short film could be written, filmed, edited and completed over a weekend, guess again. The 48 Hour Film Project is a worldwide competition that encourages filmmakers to do just that. It takes place in 130 cities, including Cape Town.
Filmmakers are given a line of dialogue/writing, a character and a prop and then pick a genre out of a hat. With these elements and their ready and waiting crew and cast, teams need to deliver a completed film 48 hours later.
In last year’s event, The Brave Cartel’s fantasy drama Renascence won 3rd place in the competition, as well as awards for Best Actress (for Bianca Simone Mannie) and Best Production Design (for Simon Mcloughlin). It was nominated for ten other awards: Best Cinematography (Frances Kroon), Best Sound Design and Score (Morne Marais), Best Editing (Carol Groenewald), Best Costume (Catharina van Wyk), Best Make-Up (Lyndal Fitzgerald) , Best Director (Yolande Botha), Best Producer (Yolande Botha/Rifka Carr), Best VFX (Matthew Desmond-Smith) and Best Use of Line.
The film is now available to watch online. It follows the strange journey of a young woman who receives an anonymous invitation. What first seems like an ordinary elevator becomes a portal to people and experiences from her past and even a brush with divinity.
Bianca Simone Mannie gives a powerful, authentic performance and is supported by veteran actor Andre Jacobs and Gary Green. Shot on a Red Epic, DOP Frances Kroon is responsible for the dramatic look of the film.
Renascence was penned and directed by Yolande Botha, who recently also launched the 20-minute dark comedy, Lina and Leo. Founded in early 2015, The Brave Cartel collaborates with various production partners, brands and ad agencies to conceptualise and produce film and branded content.
Key roles:
Writer/Director: Yolande Botha
Producers: Yolande Botha & Rifkah Carr
Director of Photography: Frances Kroon
Editor: Carol Groenewald
Sound Design: Morne Marais
Production Design: Simon Mcloughlin
Wardrobe: Catharina van Wyk
Hair & make-up: Lyndal Fitzgerald
VFX: Matt Desmond-Smith
Lead: Bianca Simone Mannie
Supporting roles: Andre Jacobs, Gary Green & Catharina van Wyk
