Judy Naidoo hunts talent for new movie
ETERMINED to discover young talent in South Africa, acclaimed Verulamfilm producer and director Judy Naidoo is searching for two young Indian boys to play the lead roles in her new feature film Kings of Mulberry Street, which has been dubbed “a little film with a big heart”.
The boys, said Naidoo, should have a flair for acting.
Kings of Mulberry Street will tell the story of two youngsters who have to overcome their differences and band together to defeat the bullying local crime lord who threatens their families.
Production will start early next year.
“The movie is about growing up in Verulam in the 80s. It’s very much a film that celebrates friendship, that innocent love for a friend we experience early on in life. It’s a universal theme that will hopefully resonate strongly with audiences,” said Naidoo.
Born and raised in the heart of theNorth Coast town with her parents and two sisters, the 42-year-old home-grown talent is back in South Africa after recently taking Best Director and Best Picture awards at the New Hope Film Festival in Pennsylvania in the US for her directorial debut feature film Hatchet Hour, an honour, she says, that came as a surprise.
“It felt really good to be recognised but even more so because the festival audiences were really receptive to the film. The extent of this took me by surprise and the fact that a South African film with SA humour translated so well there. It was really good to feel their warm reception.”
Holding a UK masters degree in film production, Naidoo believes she has yet to get her “big break”, calling her achievements “significant milestones” in her journey until this point.
Naidoo remains grounded and says ingrained disciplines such as hard work, honesty and respect have allowed her to remember she should never take anything for granted.
Founding Ladybug Films in September 2002, Naidoo has produced and directed several documentaries, short films, commercials and corporate films.
She was long-listed for the Oscars in 2012 and won at several major festivals around the world.
Speaking on her challenges as a female filmmaker, she said it was a tough business.
“There are many gender issues that need to be addressed. We (women) need to empower ourselves and work together towards nurturing and promoting our cinematic endeavours.
“People who follow this path do not do it for money. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the financial gains for a typical independent SA filmmaker is little to none. So one really must be passionate about the work. You must have your own voice as a filmmaker. You must have something to say. Keep working at your craft and build your track record as a filmmaker. I try to live my life as fearlessly as I can. It’s not an easy thing to do but moving through fear often has great rewards.”
Her biggest influences in the film industry were cinematic works of legendary filmmakers such as Frederico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese, and she later discovered the work of women directors including Jane Campion, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta and Lynne Ramsamy.
Naidoo said her life was rarely balanced and many sacrifices were made for her to get to where she is today.
“To do what I do, normally means not spending enough quality time with my family but we try to make up for it when we are together.”
The multi-award winner is currently travelling between Durban and Johannesburg for casting sessions with casting director Kajal Bagwandeen of Imagine Worx for Kings of Mulberry Street.
She is also raising finance for a historic period piece she hopes to develop in the near future.
For enquiries on the film email info@imagineworx.co