The scourge of African on African violence is a stupidity this continent knows too well.The South African xenophobic attacks of 2008, which resulted in the death of over 60 people, made headlines the world over. This unfortunate slaughter of foreign nationals was the inspiration of Akin Omotoso’s (2007 Standard Bank Young Artist Of The Year For Film Directing) follow up film Man on Ground. The feature film, which is produced by T.O.M Pictures, 1 Take Media and Rosie Motene Productions, explores the complex themes of xenophobia, identity, fear and reconciliation.
“The xenophobia attacks generated profound national and continental shock and soul searching,” says Akin Omotoso Man On Ground’s Director, Writer and Producer. “This film is part of this continual soul searching and it is also a strong appeal for healing to ensure that such killings do not happen again.”
The feature film is about Ade, a Nigerian-British doctor based in the UK who visits South Africa to see his estranged half-brother Femi. Upon his arrival in South Africa, Ade discovers his brother has been missing for a week. With the help of Femi’s fiancée, Zodwa, Ade investigates his brother’s disappearance. It is soon realised that Femi’s disappearance coincides with a recent period of xenophobic violence. As the truth starts to emerge Ade discovers that Femi is dead but no one can account for the body. The search for the body leads Ade to the discovery of the horrific truth about his brother’s death.
Man on Ground, a self and crowd funded feature film, is being produced on an undefined meagre budget. “It’s difficult to put a figure on our budget because we are relying on the generosity of Crowd Funding,” said Rosie Motene one of the producers of the film. “We will have to keep appealing for donations until the project is completed.”
Motene is very positive about Crowd Funding and hopes to raise enough funds to complete the project. “This form of funding works especially for films with a social message. It has been working for years in Europe and the US,” she stated. “We are appealing to individuals and companies to contribute anything from R1 000 and in return they will get an associate producer credit or product placement opportunities.”
Crowd Funding has become very popular in the South African film industry in recent time with many directors opting for this kind funding to finance their productions. “We believe that rather than always waiting for external funding for making art on this continent, we can draw on our collective resources and networks to make films and art works that will both entertain and educate our people,” said Omotoso.
Man On Ground stars Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), Fana Mokoena (Yizo Yizo, Generations, The Lab), Fabian Olojode (Jacob’s Cross) and Bubu Mazibuko (Gaz’lam, Catch A Fire). The film, which has completed principal photography, is hoping to create a buzz at the local and International film festival circuit, starting with a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and the Dubai Film Festival.
