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PRODUCTION NOTES
The Showroom Theatre and Advantage Entertainment
Present
DIE ONTWAKING
Writer & Director JOHNNY BREEDT
Producers VLOKKIE GORDON JOHNNY BREEDT GREIG BUCKLE
Executive Producers CHARON LANDMAN
Starring GYS DE VILLIERS
JUANITA DE VILLIERS GERARD RUDOLF PAUL EILERS
MORNE VISSER ARMAND AUCAMP
JACO MULLER TERTIUS MEINTJIES
SYNPOSIS A gruesome and action packed crime-‐thriller, Die Ontwaking explores the psyche and motivations of a serial killer. Abel (Gys de Villiers), owner of a small gallery specialising in African masks and art, is also curating a collection of tattoos belonging to beautiful female victims who will fit his Cosmic Journal theme. Die Ontwaking is based on the first book of the “Abel” trilogy, “Abel se Ontwaking” (translated into English as “The Skin Collector”), by well-‐known crime writer Chris Karsten. Abel’s deranged mind is an imaginary composite of the minds of some of the most notorious fictional serial killers, including Norman Bates, Sweeney Todd, Dexter, Leatherface, Freddy Krueger and, Jame Gumb, the serial killer in The Silence of the Lambs, who stalks females and skins them in an attempt to create a female skin suit. The primary inspiration for Abel, however, comes from real-‐life American murderer and body snatcher Ed Gein. Gein exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned trophies and keepsakes from their bones and skin. In the film, Ella Nesser (Juanita de Villiers) is the attractive, but inexperienced murder detective in charge of the case. Her main task is to track down the serial killer who has been preying on the city’s young women. While trying to prove herself to her more senior colleagues (Paul Eilers, Gerard Rudolf), she is also struggling with her break up with her boyfriend (Armand Aucamp). Abel is smart and the young detective struggles to make headway with the case. As more victims are found, an easy culprit emerges – a well to do businessman with a link to them all (Morne Visser), distracting her from the real killer who is continuing his work. For his upcoming fiftieth birthday, Abel has a special gift in mind for himself -‐ a new face: that of a beautiful young woman, perhaps that of a young female detective. The film is a collaboration between The Showroom Theatre, Advantage Entertainment and Enigma Pictures. Die Ontwaking premiered at Silwerskermfees 2014. The film went on to win the Best Feature Film Award at the 2015 Indie Karoo Film Festival. Social media platforms: Facebook: www.facebook.com/DieOntwaking Twitter: twitter.com/DieOntwaking Instagram: instagram.com/dieontwaking/
MEDIA RELEASES Afrikaans crime writer’s terrifying thriller adapted for the big screen (19 October 2015) Die Ontwaking (‘The Awakening’), a grisly, action-‐packed thriller that investigates the mind and motivations of an acutely intelligent serial killer, will open in selected cinemas around the country on 26 February 2016. The film is the directorial debut of acclaimed production designer Johnny Breedt (Paljas, Hotel Rwanda, A Long Walk to Freedom), and has been hailed as a game-‐changer for South African film. Die Ontwaking is based on the first book of the ‘Abel’ trilogy, Abel se Ontwaking (translated into English as The Skin Collector), by well-‐known crime writer Chris Karsten. Abel Lotz (Gys de Villiers), the owner of a small art gallery specialising in African masks and artefacts, is also a curator of a different kind: he has an assortment of tattoos which he harvests from the bodies of his beautiful young victims for a collection that forms part of his ‘cosmic journals’, a bizarre project in which he retells the story of the cosmos. Ella Nesser (Juanita de Villiers) is the attractive, but inexperienced police detective in charge of the case. Her task is to track down the serial killer before yet another young woman is murdered. She is in a long-‐term relationship with Bam (Armand Aucamp), and while she works hard to prove herself to her more senior colleagues Fred Lange (Gerard Rudolf) and Silas Sauls (Paul Eilers), she also has to deal with personal issues, including breaking up with her boyfriend. Abel is smart and his commitment to completing the cosmic journal is unwavering. On the eve of his fiftieth birthday, he decides it’s time for a new look: he is to harvest a face from an unsuspecting victim, preferably female and beautiful, as his mother always wanted a daughter. The young cop would do nicely. “A few years ago I decided I wanted to direct a film in Afrikaans and I popped into a book store to look for inspiration,” says Breedt. “That’s when I came across Chris Karsten’s Abel se Ontwaking. I read it on a flight to the USA and I could not put it down. I just knew that it could be turned into a fantastic film. The thriller genre is much darker than what I had in mind for my first feature film, but that was also what attracted me to the project. I wanted to challenge myself as a scriptwriter and director and this was the perfect vehicle. I was determined to take the audience with me into places that make people feel uncomfortable." The film explores how twisted societies also produce traumatised, deeply wounded individuals, who eventually turn to violent behaviour. At its heart, Die Ontwaking delves into the complex dynamic between the deranged, yet sympathetic Abel Lotz and the rookie police investigator who is resilient, fit and focused. The film plays with the mind of its audience and keeps people on the edge of their seats wondering what on earth goes on in the head of a psychopath. The motif of skin – which covers the body while forming the membrane between the self and world – forms the basis for an investigation into the ways in which we see ourselves, the way we are perceived by others, and the ways in which our experiences become etched in our skins. Die Ontwaking has been selected to screen on the opening night of Eden Independent Film Festival in George, which runs from 30 October to 1 November 2015. It will also play on the closing night of the South African Horror Fest in Cape Town on 6 November 2015.
THE MAKING OF – DIRECTOR’S NOTE A few years ago I set out to make an Afrikaans film and I happened to walk into a book shop, hoping for some inspiration. There I stumbled across “Abel se Ontwaking”, written by Chris Karsten. I read the book while on a flight to the USA and simply could not put it down. Chris had written the award-‐winning book as the first part of a trilogy and I believed it would make a great film. The genre was a lot darker than what I initially thought my first feature would be, but that’s what attracted me to the project. I wanted to challenge myself both as a writer and a director, and this seemed like the perfect project to do so. The film was funded by Charon Landman, The Showroom Theatre and the Department of Trade and Industry. I was also fortunate to have two heavyweight producers on board – Vlokkie Gordon from Advantage Entertainment and Greig Buckle from Enigma Pictures. Their experience proved invaluable. Because I had previously worked as a production designer, I had a visual concept of the film in mind as I was writing it. Once we started scouting for locations, some of these ideas were either enhanced or discarded. I brought Cecelia van Straaten, with whom I had worked previously on a number of films, on board as the production designer. We shared the same vision, and I had the advantage of knowing that she knows how I think, what appeals to me and what does not. Cecelia gave the film a simple, yet authentic look. The book itself was set in Johannesburg, but we made a decision to move the location to Cape Town. Cecelia and I had to find places that would still give us “real world” feeling and we rediscovered areas in Cape Town that both of us had either forgotten about, or never knew existed. These areas, often referred to as beyond the “boerewors curtain”, formed the perfect backdrop for the story. The film was shot entirely in Cape Town in 18 days. To complement the production design, I was fortunate to work with director of photography, Jacques Koudstaal, who had just recently finished filming the box office success Pad na Jou Hart. Although his previous work had never been in this sort of genre, he was the perfect choice. He managed to light the sets beautifully. We wanted to give the film a more international feel as far as the look goes, and this with achieved by both the art direction and cinematography. Mandy Roberts who had previously done Verraaiers, was the editor and she added an edgy feel to the flow of the scenes. Johnny Breedt, Director and Writer
CAST Gys de Villiers – Abel Lotz Abel is a loner, a collector of ethnic masks, animal pelts and a thirst for human tattoos. He is the cool, calm serial killer on a mission to get a new face for himself. Abel is played by Gys de Villiers, a household name who has appeared in several theatre productions, TV series and well known films. De Villiers is best known for his role as Zieg Combrink in M-‐Net's soap Binnelanders. His first theatre role was with Lochner de Kock and Marie Human, in The Three der Walts. After that, made a career out of acting and studied drama at the University of Cape Town. In 1983 he joined PACT where he worked with the likes of Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo and Tobie Cronje. For the first 10 years of his career, De Villiers focused only on theatre work. His first major TV role was in 1993 in Triptiek 1 and 2 and later Die Vierde Kabinet. He went on to play leading roles in popular soaps, 7de Laan, Binnelanders and Isidingo. He has also appeared in films such as Boetie Gaan Border Toe! (1984), Paljas (1998) Jimmy in Pienk (2013), Strikdas (2015) and played FW de Klerk in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013). He was also awarded the prize for Best Actor at the 2012 Silwerskerm Film Festival for his performance in Verraaiers (2013). In early 2015, De Villiers and his wife relocated to New York City. There, he was seen in Athol Fugard's latest play The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek. De Villiers also received much acclaim for his performance in Fafi, which was part of the New York Fringe Festival and also performed at the InniBos Festival in Nelspruit, under the title Elsie se Nommers.
Juanita de Villiers – Detective Ella Neser Ella Neser has just landed her first murder case when a dead body turns up in her jurisdiction. Soon she realises she is in over her head as more bodies turn up. Dead set on proving herself, the case consumes her. In the role of Ella is Juanita de Villiers, a multi-‐talented actress, dancer and performer. She made her professional debut in 2006 with the Grahamstown festival production Lost in Thought, directed by Christa-‐Louie van Heerden. In 2009 she worked under the direction of Shareen Swart in the comical theatre production Hemelbed. Her television debut was on the well-‐known soap, 7de Laan and she was later also seen in MNet’s Binnelanders. De Villiers had the opportunity to work under the direction of Pieter Bosch Botha in the play Noises Off, and appeared in acclaimed playwright Reza de Wet's, Mis, directed by Andre Stolz. She has since been seen in films such as Bakgat 2, Koringberg, Knysna, Somer Son, and Die Pro. Her biggest role to date is as the female lead in Die Ontwaking. Gerard Rudolf – Fred Lange Compared to Ella, Fred is a veteran detective. His nose is out of joint when Ella gets this case, but he nevertheless assists her in seeking the killer. Gérard Rudolf is a well-‐known actor, voice artist, writer, director and poet. He graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BA Degree in Drama and English Literature.
He started his career in 1992 in the TV series, Arende II. He has since been seen in numerous TV shows, such as Getroud met Rugby, Binnelanders, and Bloedbroers. He was nominated for a Best Actor SAFTA for his performance in Donkerland. His most recent film highlights are: Jadotville; Jimmy in Pienk and Wolwedans in die Skemer. Rudolf was also seen in the Bengali film, Chander Pahar the ambitious adaptation of the Indian novel of the same name. He won the Best Actor Award at the 2015 Silverskerm Festival for the eye-‐opening short film, Vryslag. He is also a poet, and published his first collection of poetic writings in 2009, named "Orphaned Latitudes”.
Paul Eilers – Silas Sauls Silas is the commanding officer, a super sleuth in his day, but now nearing his retirement. Because he has a soft spot for her, he gives Ella her first break, but he always there to offer a guiding hand. Paul Eilers started his 40-‐year long career in the entertainment industry as an editor and later director on television movies and series. In 1963, he joined Johan Fourie’s theatre company and spent three years touring the country, working as company manager, stage manager and actor. He later joined KRUIK, doing hundreds of performances of Die Laaste van die Takhare and directing almost all the regional theatre groups. In 1972, Paul joined the Afrikaans Service of the SABC as radio host and director of various radio dramas. He established himself as a household name in the popular Afrikaans prison television series Vyfster in 1984. He went on to star in well-‐known series, Dokter, Dokter and Song vir Katryn. In 1996 he joined the organising committee of the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees as the director of marketing. Living in Oudsthoorn, he established community radio station, Suid-‐Kaap Stereo. But it was his return to the stage playing the title role in Faan se Trein that has established him firmly as one of South Africa’s best actors. His performance received standing ovations from audiences nationwide with the play winning the Herrie-‐Kanna Award for Audience Popularity. Later in his career, his attention shifted to directing again after he was approached to make Roepman in 2011. The movie was hit at the box office, receiving wide critical and public acclaim, cementing Eilers firmly in his new role as director. He went on to direct further films Verraiers and Stuur Groete aan Mannetjies Roux. However, he still works as an actor, “If the role suits me,” he says. Morne Visser – Dawid Eigelaar Dawid is a charmer amongst the ladies, a wealthy local businessman with a connection to all the victims, soon making him a suspect in the murder case. In the role of Dawid is Morne Visser, who has credits in international films such as City of Violence (Zulu), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Racing Stripes. He can also be seen in the third season of Black Sails. He will also be seen in the soon to be released The Odyssey, starring Audrey Tautou. Locally, he is known for his TV roles in S.O.S, Scandal, Orion and Vallei van Sluiers. He has also starred in the films, Skoonheid, Retribution, Cape of Good Hope and now, Die Ontwaking. Not one to shy away from a tough role, Visser was seen in the internationally acclaimed and controversial film Skoonheid. He recently won the Best Actor award at the Silwerskermfees 2015 for the Dis ek, Anna, tackling the difficult subject matter of child abuse.
Armand Aucamp – Bam Bam is Ella’s boyfriend, at least until she catches him in bed with another girl. He tries his best to get back with her and ultimately discovers that she too is being stalked by the serial killer. Armand Aucamp has worked in TV, film, theatre and radio both as an actor and producer. Over the past six years, he worked extensively, locally and abroad. His theatre credits include, Mary and the Conqueror (CPT, JHB, Dublin) in which he portrayed Alexander the Great, Iago in Othello directed by Mary Dreyer, Bladsy 3 by Vicky Davis, Huis Toe (The Afrikaans adaptation of Harold Pinter’s ‘The Homecoming’ directed by Henry Milne) and playing the title role of Cardenio: Shakespeare’s Lost Play at Maynardville. His latest TV credentials include Sterlopers, Pandjewinkelstories, HBO’s Homeland Season 4 as well as the CBC 6-‐part mini-‐series, The Book of Negros, starring opposite Cuba Gooding Jr and Aunjanue Ellis. He has also worked on a number of international feature films including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, 21st Century Fox’s Chronicle, BBC’s Mankind and most recently, Gavin Hood’s latest feature film, Eye in the Sky. Locally, he has worked on feature films such as Knysna and Die Ontwaking. Aucamp is currently to be seen as the new Jacques Rynhard in Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling. He also plays the lead in a new kykNET drama series, Die Boekklub. He is currently filming season two of Sterlopers for kykNET, and goes into production early next year for the epic biopic Krotoa as Jan van Riebeeck. Jaco Muller – Andy Collipepper An investigative journalist for the local newspaper, Andy covers the serial killer story and becomes an unknowing pawn in the killer’s game. Jaco Muller studied audio-‐visual production management at the University of Johannesburg and kept his acting bug alive by performing for the UJ Arts Academy. He furthered his studies and obtained a BA (Hons) degree in Drama with Film and Directing from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2005. Muller has been acting professionally since then, and apart from film and television, still enjoys running up and down on stage. He has a long list of original and classical musicals behind his name, including Showboat, with which he toured the UK in 2014. He is best known for parts in Liefling, Pad na Jou Hart, Angus Buchan's Ordinary People, Angel of the Skies and Kite. In 2016, he will be starring in Modder en Bloed and Die Ontwaking. Muller has appeared in numerous television programs such as Unsung Heroes, Erfsondes, Donkerland and Swartwater amongst others. He is looking forward to the upcoming series Bloedbroers, as well as, the second season of Sterlopers in which he reprises his role as "Henk" in 2016. He directs music videos as well as short-‐form content for a variety of corporate clients in his spare time. As a musician, Muller enjoys playing bass guitar and currently plays with T.A.B.O. alongside Steyn de Wet with whom he writes, records and performs. Tertius Meintjies – Dr Koster Dr Koster is the pathologist who performs autopsies and determines how Abel’s victims have died. In the role of the pathologist is actor and photographer Tertius Meintjies, who is best known for his film roles as Joyboy in Agter Elke Man (1990), as Lieutenant Bloem in Sarafina! (1992), and his roles in and Mandela and de Klerk (1997) and The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines (2006),
CREW
Johnny Breedt – writer, director and producer Johnny Breedt completed a four-‐year national diploma in Theatre & Stage Design with distinction, at Tshwane University in Pretoria. Thereafter he held various positions within the Art Department on local and international films mostly as art director. His debut as production designer, was for local film A Woman of Colour, followed by Paljas, for which he received an MNET All-‐Africa Award nomination for Best Art Direction. Directed by Katinka Heyns, Paljas was the first South African film entered into the Best Foreign Film category for an Academy Award. Breedt also designed Terry George’s Hotel Rwanda (United Artists), and Phillip Noyce’s Catch a Fire (Universal Pictures). For the latter, he was nominated for a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA). He also designed Wes Craven’s remake of The Last House on the Left (Rogue Films/Universal Pictures). For HBO, BBC, and HWC, Breedt collaborated with Anthony Minghella on The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. He then designed the biopic Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, produced by Anant Singh (VideoVision) and directed by Justin Chadwick. For this he was awarded the SAFTA for Best Production Design. He also designed Gavin Hood’s new Film Eye in the Sky, as well as the TV series Of Kings and Prophets for Disney/ABC. Breedt wrote and directed the short film The Far Far Tree in 2011. Die Ontwaking is his first feature film. Vlokkie Gordon – producer, Advantage Entertainment Vlokkie Gordon is the founder of Advantage Entertainment. With a 30-‐year career in entertainment, she specialises in finance structure, and is regularly engaged with South Africa’s key funding organs. With more than 50 major motion picture and television producing credits to her name, including such titles as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Chronicle, Wes Craven’s The Breed and Academy Award winner Anthony Minghella’s The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Gordon is one of South Africa’s most accomplished line producers, and highly sought-‐after supervising producer of international productions shot in South Africa. In 2014, she produced four local Films, Die Ontwaking, Hollywood in my Huis, Breathe / Umphefumlo and Uitvlucht. She is currently facilitating two international TV series. Jamillah & Aladdin is a 26-‐part children’s series produced by Kindle Entertainment for the BBC. Of Kings and Prophets is the new flagship series for ABC Network, entirely shot on location and studios in and around Cape Town. Advantage Entertainment is also the local production partner to Pathê’s new feature film, A United Kingdom, filming in Botswana and Zambia.
CAST
GYS DE VILLIERS Abel Lotz JUANITA DE VILLIERS Detective Ella Neser GERARD RUDOLF Fred Lange PAUL EILERS Silas Sauls MORNE VISSER Dawid Eigelaar ARMAND AUCAMP Bam JACO MULLER Andy Collipepper
TERTIUS MEINTJIES Dr Koster
CREW
Director JOHNNY BREEDT
Producer VLOKKIE GORDON Producer JOHNNY BREEDT Producer GREIG BUCKLE
Cinematographer JACQUES KOUDSTAAL Production Designer CECELIA VAN STRAATEN Costume Designer DIANA CILLIERS Costume Designer PHILIP STAPELBERG Editing MANDY ROBERTS Original Score IAN THOMAS Executive Producer CHARON LANDMAN Scriptwriter JOHNNY BREEDT
Based on the novel “Abel Se Ontwaking” by Chris Karsten