Youngsters create short film about gang violence
KNYSNA - Two matric students from Knysna, Qhamokuhle Seti (Knysna High School) and Caleb J Highfill, (home-schooled), have used their love for filmmaking to create a powerful short film to raise awareness about gang violence,
Code of the Streets.
The film is written and directed by Highfill and stars Seti - his close friend and contributor - along with a group of their friends. They have set out to make a realistic and visceral depiction of how closely gang violence can affect the youth.
The film is set in Knysna, using familiar backdrops to let the viewer know how close the problem can be in our immediate environment.
"I have always been interested in film and content creation, but didn't have any clear vision about how to bring a film to life," says Seti. "As a team, Caleb and I have put our heads together to create an unofficial film studio which we have called 'Westside Studios'."
The two aim to create more thought-provoking films from this studio in the future.
Their vision is to involve their friends and peers, creating memorable movies that raise awareness about a wide range of social problems. Westside Studios aims to produce both serious and light-hearted content, exploring different topics and plotlines.
The production process of Code of the Streets was a collaborative effort, thanks to the cast and crew of local youth who have a passion for creativity.
Despite minor challenges, the team worked tirelessly during the March school holidays, dedicating long hours to bring the film to life.
The duo are motivated to continue their content creation journey. "We intend to create more content in the future in order to raise awareness, make memories, and bring ourselves closer to each other and our community," says Highfill.