Local film scores another win

SOUTH African short film Two Hues is again making waves on the global stage.

Shot in Cape Town, the film, which has been screened at a festival in the UK, was awarded the best director prize at the North Europe International Film Festival last month, and has now been awarded “Best Women Empowerment Film” at the Berlin Short Film Festival this past weekend.

This is the third international award since its release on the international festival circuit in January.

“It is an amazing achievement for the film to receive accolades from countries in which the cinema culture is so very advanced, like the UK, France and Germany. I believe the juries of these festivals appreciate the craft displayed in the film,” said award-winning filmmaker, Weaam Williams.

At the core of the film is the theme of gender-based violence and the emotional and mental trauma caused by it, conveyed via a character-driven narrative of a bipolar photographer.

Two Hues is a high concept film which relies on conceptual storytelling techniques within the scope of a limited budget.

“The film is testimony to the challenges faced by women in

South Africa and the world. May we continue to raise our voice against gender-based, physical, verbal and emotional violence.

May we continue the narrative of Muslim women and our struggles, in a society which feels the need to legislate our bodies, either via Shariah or in France via law,” said Williams.

Two Hues is strongly influenced by French new wave cinema, defined by its rejection of traditional conventions, room for experimentation, and use of sociopolitical and existential themes.

The film draws inspiration from the ’90s three colours trilogy by Polish director Krzysztof Kowalewski, particularly Three Colours Blue, starring Juliet Binoche.

“Many film festivals have contacted me via social media, and offer me fee waivers to submit to their festivals.

“I am not able to follow up with all of them, however, I am happy to have participated in the festivals I have submitted to.

“After an incredible amount of deliberation about the making of Two Hues, I am ecstatic at the film’s international success”, added Williams.

Two Hues participated in the Montreal International Film Festival earlier this month and was to be screened on The Toronto Film Channel on May 3 and 4 as a part of the official selection of the festival.

It will also be screened in Los Angeles in May, as well as the Kalakari Film Festival in India.