Star Wars cinematographer returns to SA to award aspiring filmmakers

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Star Wars cinematographer returns to SA to award aspiring filmmakers --

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 15:52

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Dan Mindel returned to South Africa for the kykNET Silwerskermfees which recently took place in Cape Town. He was invited to the festival as part of a new M-Net initiative in association with kykNET to facilitate conversations between South African filmmakers and international experts. This event was also held in Johannesburg and facilitated by Marc Baleiza.

Having worked as the cinematographer on Star Trek in 2009 and its 2013 sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, it was hardly surprising when director J.J. Abrams chose to team up with Dan Mindel on Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Based on the record box office alone, their reunion was a huge success.

What many may find surprising though is that Mindel, who also worked on Thelma and Louise, Mission Impossible III and The Amazing Spiderman 2, was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Part of the initiative included a competition that young filmmakers from South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), Big Fish and Umuzi Academy were invited to enter, by submitting a short fictional film or mini documentary. The prize included R30 000, a mini master class with kykNET s content team, as well as the opportunity to showcase their work at the 2017 kykNET Silwerskermfees.

More than 75 film entries were received and reviewed by kykNET. Mindel and a team from the South African Society of Cinematographers (SASC) then selected the winner.

According to Mindel: South Africa will always hold a special place in my heart. To return, and be able to step into conversation with South African filmmakers has been a privilege, says Mindel.

Nondumiso Buthelezi, the director of a short film titled Oswenka, was announced as the winner of the competition. The film looks at a tradition started by Zulu migrant workers in the 1950s where on Saturday nights, they d compete for the title of best dressed man.

Oswenka hit a nerve it s interesting, genuine and raw. I was most impressed by its contrasting colour palette and its texture, said Mindel.

A film titled Isango by Darren Parker, Luke Gordon and Karien van Biljon was placed second and Sea Skeletons by Tamsyn Reynolds was placed third in the competition.

According to Yolisa Phahle, CEO of M-Net: Based on the entries received it s clear that this is a progressive and socially responsible industry. It is increasingly diversified, it creates employment, and importantly, the work documents our past, the present and paints a picture of our imagined future.

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