THE TOWN

Q: What inspired the story behind your short film?
A: Growing up between Johannesburg/the Vaal and the smaller town-like capital of Botswana, Gaborone, I spent much time on long road journeys. Watching siloed towns appear and disappear from view piqued my interest in the dynamics and politics of passing through and the idea of waiting.

Q: Can you discuss any unique challenges you faced during production?
A: I had never been on a film set, and everything I knew about filmmaking came from reading or watching behind-the-scenes extras on DVDs. This lack of experience, while challenging, allowed me to approach the project with a sense of curiosity, which is central to the film. I am deeply indebted to the incredible crew who embraced this curiosity and without whom this film wouldn’t exist.

Q: How did you approach character development within the limited runtime of a short film?
A: The short films that resonate most with me are intimate vignettes rather than those with a specific narrative arc. In The Town, I aimed to place the viewer directly into Lesedi’s world, focusing on the small events that punctuate her everyday life. I believe that highlighting these details can achieve greater character development within a limited timeframe.

Q: What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
A: I hope the film invites viewers to reflect on expectations, waiting, and loneliness.

Q: How do you see your short film fitting into your broader body of work or future projects?
A: I am pursuing a PhD studying images (both still and moving), their nature, and their impact. Filmmaking is a way for me to learn about and theorize images, integrating it into my broader academic and creative pursuits.

Q: Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?
A: It is an honor to have the film programmed at a festival that centers and celebrates independent African filmmaking. Festivals like FAME offer audiences access to different experiments in filmmaking, providing invaluable exposure and opportunities for filmmakers.