Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
spontaneity, passion put to the test
Local filmaker gets the chance to show how well she thinks on her feet at film festival
SOUTH African film-maker Sarah Joy van Breda is one of five young directors from across the world selected to attend the Pigneto Film Festival 2019 in Rome, Italy, this week, to make her own film – in seven days.
Van Breda, who lives in Ballito, graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2013 with an Honours degree in mechanical engineering.
“I must have watched The Lion King when I was five years old and I knew since then that I loved film. Engineering was great – I love science and maths – but taking the opportunity to explore my creative talents has been equally rewarding,” the 27-year-old said.
After working as an aerospace engineer for two years in Pretoria she left South Africa to study film production at Vancouver Film School in Canada. Van Breda has returned home and freelances as a screenwriter, director and editor. Her latest work – a feature-length anthology documentary series of visual artists living in KwaZulu-Natal – is a passion project.
“My mom is an artist, and I have always revelled in the arts community. I wanted to give the industry a boost as well as expose the amazing work they are able to produce.”
She left for the suburb of Pigneto on Tuesday to attend the festival, which starts tomorrow and runs until the premiere screening of the five films on July 6. There are various awards, and the film that wins will be included in other film festivals across Europe.
Van Breda will have 144 hours to imagine and create a 10-minute audiovisual product, using only raw material to tell a story in what’s described by the festival as one of the most “alternative, dynamic and unruly neighbourhoods in Rome”.
“We will get the theme only on the night of the opening. It’s nerve-racking, but there’s also the chance to show how well you think on your feet.
“It’s an amazing opportunity as I will be able to meet leaders in the Italian film industry and receive mentorship from them. Seminars and mentorship sessions have been arranged for all the film-makers.”
Van Breda won the title of Top Talent 2019 for video at the Adobe Design Achievement Awards for her short experimental dance film, Grey, and a music video she shot for German Astral Wave artist AESTRAL titled Runaway. Find her work on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/sjvanbreda.
Watch the experimental dance film, Grey, (Adobe Top Talent 2019) – https://vimeo. com/230295704/950a7c4e75.
Watch the music video, Runaway,
(Adobe Top Talent 2019) – https://vimeo. com/320441870.
Directing Reel – https://vimeo. com/231788572.