SA playwright's film bags gold at Student Academy Awards

Film director and writer Phumi Morare has won gold at the 49th Annual Student Academy Awards in New York.

The Johannesburg-born playwright's film Lakutshon'ilanga (when the sun sets) won the Narrative: The Domestic School Award.

The title of the film is inspired by late singer Miriam Makeba's song with the same title.

Lakutshon’ilanga made its world premiere early this year at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

The film was further screened at the Durban International Film Festival.

It features DiepCity actor Zikhona Bali, Aphiwe Mkefe, Thembekile Mathe and Awonke Mtonjana.

Morare, who dumped a career in finance after five years for filmmaking, said: “I’m deeply honoured to be a Student Academy Award winner. To think that a personal story, based on my South African family history, can resonate with an international audience and receive this type of accolade is deeply humbling and inspiring. I am so grateful to the community that came around us to make this film possible against all odds.”

Shot in Soweto, the film tells the story of a young, black nurse living apartheid SA in 1985. The nurse must face her worst fears when she learns that her younger brother, an activist, may be in danger.

The film is a tribute to the many black mothers in SA who fought against impossible odds during apartheid.

According to Morare, the film pays homage to her mother Norma Nene-Morare.

“It’s a story of a black woman’s transcendence as she tries to protect her family under the constraints of oppression. The film pays homage to my mother as it was inspired by a real incident that happened in her life. Her courage inspired me to honour and observe the quiet heroism of ordinary, African women.”

Currently based in Los Angeles, Morare submitted the film as her thesis for her MFA in Film Directing at Chapman University, along with fellow student Christine Cho in the role of producer, in 2019.

The film has since received various accolades, including a Student BAFTA nomination and selection as a finalist in the 2021 American Black Film Festival’s Annual HBO Short Film Competition, not to mention screenings at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

“Stage 5 Films has a keen focus on developing the careers of first-time feature filmmakers, and often, this starts at an emerging talent level,” said Marcelle du Toit, head of production at Stage 5 Films and Lakutshon’ilanga executive producer.

“Annually, Stage 5 Films invests in producing one short film by a talented South African filmmaker as a commitment to fostering our country’s creative industry. ‘Lakutshon’ilanga’ and the powerhouse female team that is Phumi and Christine, encapsulates this mission. Phumi’s touching personal connection to the narrative, as well as her ambitious and committed approach to authentic execution, resulted in a standout project.”