Once in a while a human interest story comes along that restores once faith in humanity. This is one such story.mIn March 2013 an aspiring writer from Manenberg in the Western Cape, Andre Manus, (picture attached) approached Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) to help him write a screenplay for a film.
Besides BTC providing free training in dance, drama and music, it offers training in filmmaking. To date they have produced several films that were screened on television.
Andre had a handwritten story on a few loose tattered pages. The story idea for his screenplay came from an art imitates life premise. Andre, living in the gang infested and sub economic township of Manenberg had witnessed firsthand the issue that was central to his story. However, Andre had a problem. He didn't know the basics of writing a screenplay but he had the enthusiasm and passion for his story. He wanted his story told through the moving image of film.
BTC introduced Andr to the screenwriter and film director Theo.E.Davids (Picture attached) of Gemini Twins Films. Theo being a qualified filmmaker, screenwriter and director of several films and television drama series, agreed to help Andre write the screenplay. Theo could identify with Andre because he as an ex-high school teacher, growing up in the apartheid area in the sub economic township of Bridgetown, also did not have the privilege to study film making and screenwriting at the previously white own film institutions. But in 1994 when South African became a democratic country, he persevered with his love for filmmaking and his talent and tenacity afforded him the opportunity to study and receive training from the best film intuitions eg NFVF, SEDIBA,Sparks etc.Thus, he wanted to use this opportunity to pay it forward to someone like Andre.
Andre's journey in writing the screenplay was an arduous and daunting one. Firstly, he was unemployed, had no access to a computer or telephone. Secondly, it was not always possible for him to walk 10 kilometres to Bridgetown, where Theo lived, to attend creative meetings because of the constant gang fights and shootings in Manenberg. He was literary trapped for days on end in his house.
Furthermore, Andre being a screenwriter in Manenberg was tantamount to being the laughing stock of the neighbourhood. People in his township ridiculed him and even mocked him for being a dreamer. This was because the concept of someone coming from Manenberg being a film screenwriter is not only foreign to comprehend for the average person but also ridiculous.
There were times when Andre, because of the heaping negativity around him, doubted his ability and commitment to succeed at screenwriting. At such moment he derived strength from the violence, unemployment and poverty in his area and this propelled him not to give up.
Needless to say, after one year, during which time Theo gave him a computer; Andre finally co-wrote the screenplay with Theo.
The biggest challenge after the completion of the screenplay was to produce the film. Like wars cost money. So does film making. After they applied for film funding at several intuitions without success or they find organizations and people that were prepared to fund the film but these funders wanted artistic control over the film which included changing the screenplay, casting the film and appointing their own producers and directors. Andre and Theo were opposed to this and decided to produce the film independently. Independently in the film industry means making a film with little or no money and with the help, support the goodness of others.
Theo made an appeal to the local film industry for technical help. A professional cameraman, sound man and film production manager offered their services.
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Bridgetown Theatre Company provided the actors and crew. The community members volunteered to provide locations, transport and food.
Everybody offered their time, film locations and expertise at no cost, because they believed in Andre's story. It was a labour of love.
Bridgetown Theatre Company used this opportunity to empower their actors, crew and community in film acting and the technical aspects of filmmaking. On the completion of our film many of the cast, crew and community members pursued careers and SME businesses in the film industry.
On 6 December 2014, the film production on the film called Quest commenced in the Bridgetown, Silvertown, Rylands and Athone areas.
Quest is about what happens when a young drug addict mother has to sell her intelligent 14 year old daughter to the drug lord in order to settle her drug debt. Eventually, the daughter manages to escape from her dire life as a prostitute. Will she return home and forgive her now born again Christian and remorseful mother?
Quest stars (pictures attached) Portia Meyer, Zurayda Villet, Riedwaan Damon; Zintle Ntshoko, Maridi Jooste, Lizanne Peters, and Meagan van der Merwe.
Quest is co-written by Andre Manus and Co-writer and director Theo.E.Davids.
Quest will be screened on DSTV channel 263 and CTV (Cape Town Television) on Friday 13 November 2015 at 10pm and the repeat on Sunday 15 October'15 at midnight.
The making of Quest was in the truest sense of the word the highest form of filmmaking-it was collaboration. It also gives credence to the fact that dreams do come true with undying belief in oneself and hard work, regardless of the dire circumstances in life.
For more information log on to Bridgetown Theatre Company face book page or phone 082 5363651
Feature Films
South Africa
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Once in a while a human interest story comes along that restores once faith in humanity. This is one such story.mIn March 2013 an aspiring writer from Manenberg in the Western Cape, Andre Manus, (picture attached) approached Bridgetown Theatre Company (BTC) to help him write a screenplay for a film. 
