Shooting has wrapped, in Ermelo, on the new Armand Aucamp vehicle, Mense van die Wind. Produced by Aimee Dherman and Malebo Manamela of Azania Productions (Broken Promises, Blessers), the film is written and directed by David Schröder, who makes his feature film directorial debut.
Mense van die Wind is an ultimately uplifting story about a famous singer from Pretoria who, having lost both the love of his life, in a tragic accident, and his will to perform, flees the city for the rural peace of his family’s farm on the outskirts of Ermelo. A chance meeting with an old flame, who is now the music teacher at a local school, offers him a new chance at life and helps lay to rest the ghosts of his past.
“While Mense van die Wind has many dramatic elements, it also offers an authentic and ultimately uplifting look into the lives of the characters,” says director, David Schröder. “I have been careful to balance the dramatic aspects of the story with touches of lightness, and an amazing soundtrack,”
Mense van die Wind features some of South Africa’s most beloved songs, including Kinders van die Wind, Mystic Boer, Ek Verlang na Jou and Sonvanger. Some have been specially reworked for the film.
This is the first Afrikaans film produced under the Azania Productions banner and is a departure from their previous films which have all been comedies.
“Our aim at Azania Productions has always been to find unique properties that reflect South Africa’s diverse population,” says producer Aimee Dherman. “We are confident that Mense van die Wind will resonate with Afrikaans audiences in much the same way as our previous films did with Indian audiences.”
Mense van die Wind features a cast headed by Armand Aucamp (Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling) and Diani Gernandt (Epiphany) supported by Juan de Wet, Ramey Short (Binnelanders), Greta Pietersen (Kompleks), Renier Basson (Madiba), Nieke Lombard, Msuthu Mrobonwana, Magda van Biljon and Erik Holm.
The film was shot entirely on location in Ermelo and the surrounding farms. Mense van die Wind is expected to hit cinemas in 2022.
