Filmplakkaat: Silwerskermfees; foto van Quanita Adams: Rizqua Barnes
Quanita Adams praat met Naomi Meyer oor Quanita se film Hier.Na by Silwerskermfees 2024.
Quanita, baie geluk met die film Hier.Na by die Silwerskermfees vanjaar. Die film is jou persoonlike hantering van die verlies van jou pa, en sy begrafnis. Kykers gaan ’n goeie idee kry van hoe ’n Moslem-begrafnis lyk. Die spoed waarteen dit beweeg, die kos wat geëet word, die manier van doen, die rituele. Dit lyk of dit alles baie vinnig beweeg. Was jou idee om dit in ’n film te omskep dalk ’n manier van hantering van die verlies vir jou – iets meer tydsaams? Hoe het die skep van die film begin: die skryf van die teks, en die stap-vir-stap-proses tot dit ’n film was?
Yes, the film is absolutely a meditation on my father’s passing. It has been an opportunity too, for me, and many involved in the film, to unpack, to debrief, to explore our own personal grief journeys. I would say it has been quite cathartic in many ways. Many of the cast and crew members had lost family members and loved ones, and so everybody felt invested in the story in a very real way. We had also decided to invite the cast and crew to nominate people to dedicate the film to. And at the end, before the credits roll, we have an “In Memoriam” scroll, and seeing all the names on the screen, honoured in this way, is very moving. It felt different, this story. Yes, of course, entertainment, but also it felt infused with meaning. We all felt it.
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And at the end, before the credits roll, we have an “In Memoriam” scroll, and seeing all the names on the screen, honoured in this way, is very moving. It felt different, this story. Yes, of course, entertainment, but also it felt infused with meaning. We all felt it.
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As for the script, there had been a call for films from M-Net’s kykNET, and we made the final list. And it is the first feature to come out the production company Blended Films, which I started with my partner, Dominique Jossie. It was quick and it all moved quite smoothly, supported by the channel. And when we agreed that we would premiere at the Silwerskermfees it felt right.
Nou gaan jy hierdie persoonlike verhaal met die wêreld deel as die film aan die einde van die week by die Silwerskermfees open, soos jy reeds genoem het. Voel dit nog soos jou persoonlike storie, of het jy dit vrygelaat om nou al iets meer te wees – omdat so baie mense betrokke was hierby en elke akteur sy rol vertolk met sy eie interpretasie en menswees wat hy daar inbring?
Great question. It is never entirely one’s own movie. It’s such a collaborative process to make it. And maybe because I am an actor first, I am so accustomed to having things be fluid, and change, that I loved the way the story evolved when people – crew, or cast – brought their own contributions. It’s magic. Alchemy. And trusting that everybody is the best version of what they do. Not second guessing that. And allowing people the freedom to explore within their “roles”, from tech crew to creative crew to actors. That’s the best, when one can be open to that unpredictability.
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And trusting that everybody is the best version of what they do. Not second guessing that. And allowing people the freedom to explore within their “roles”, from tech crew to creative crew to actors. That’s the best, when one can be open to that unpredictability.
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Dis fantasties om by ’n oorwegend Afrikaanse filmfees te kan besef hoe verskillend die sprekers van Afrikaans lyk en hoe hul leefwêrelde verskil. Hoe voel jy oor ’n filmfees soos die Silwerskermfees en die platform wat dit bied vir almal wat in Afrikaans skryf en leef?
Silwerskermfees is important for how it provides a platform for filmmakers. They support young, and mid-career, professionals, and give them an opportunity to create and share their works. It has become an indelible part of our industry. We are so proud that we get to premiere our movie at this festival. I have been a part of the Silwerskerm team – from being a reader to an adjudicator to a mentor, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. This seems like a full circle moment.
Die film vertoon op:
Persverklaring: Lewensbydrae-toekennings vir drie legendes by Silwerskermfees