Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
A sequel that promises to deliver
It’s the wedding of the year, and you’re invited! chats to writer and director, Jayan Moodley about Kandasamys: The Wedding
THERE is always the fear that a movie sequel can never be as good as the original.
And that was my initial expectation of but upon speaking to writer and director, Jayan Moodley, I quickly realised that the support of fans is ultimately what makes or breaks the success of a second edition.
“When we wrote the first movie, there was no plan of doing a sequel, but after its success, fans were talking about the characters like they personally knew them, so Rory (Booth) and I knew we had a story and could confidently write the script,” said Moodley.
She also admitted that making a sequel is never an easy task, especially with a much-loved movie like this.
“Going into it there was fear, but after receiving so much love from the fans, the fear eroded. I even had people sending me story ideas for the sequel which means they are waiting in anticipation for the release,” she said.
The first movie hit the top spot in 2017 and won Moodley a SAFTA, and the sequel promises to be no less than entertaining.
“It’s going to be an entertaining ride. It’s a family comedy with heart, and we are proud of what we’ve done. All the actors came on board and gave us 110 percent,” said Moodley.
She said the team wanted to give fans something fresh, so they added a few new cast members including Bassy Bhola, Uzalo star Dawn Thandeka
King and Masoja Msiza who make an appearance, she said.
The movie took five weeks to shoot and was released in cinemas nationwide this month.
“As a filmmaker, when you watch the final product, you love certain parts, and there are parts you wish you could change, but overall it is
Kandasamys: The Wedding, something that I am proud of, and the cast and crew should be proud of it too.Their performances have been taken up a few notches. And this is a movie that can sit comfortably out there with the best,” said Moodley.
With Durban always being referred to as the “poor cousin”, Moodley said she was happy a sequel came out of this city.
“We’re happy that we were able to produce a sequel for this movie in South Africa – that doesn’t always happen, let alone coming out of Durban where we are always considered the poor cousin,” she said.
The last movie focused on a range of themes, this time it pays tribute to “the mother”, with a sub-theme of “letting go”. It’s about a mother who has to learn to let go of her son because he is getting married. It’s also about family being there for each other and supporting each other.
“Some of the lessons people can learn from this movie: As a mother, when to let go; as parents, how much control you have over your kids, as a mother-in- law, how to deal with your daughter-in-law and as a family, how to be there for each other,” said Moodley.
The heart of the film still remains in Chatsworth, the two families are still neighbours, but Moodley and her team also filmed in other Durban spots like uMhlanga Beach, Zimbali and the Durban promenade.
About being a female director in an industry dominated by males, Moodley says it’s hard.
“As a black female director, it’s not easy in a male-dominated industry.
I do take time to sit and absorb the success of the work I’m doing. I think we’ve turned the corner in the country. It’s a good time to be in filmmaking. Sometimes what I feel cannot be explained,” Moodley said.