The rise in bullying, shaming, cyberbullying, colourism and suicide amongst South Africa’s youth is what motivated Bakwena Productions’ second feature film, ‘Thando’. Directed by international award-winning actor, producer and creator, Kagiso Modupe and executive produced by Rashaka Muofhe and Kagiso Modupe, the film stars Zikhona Bali, Thembi Nyandeni, Jerry Phele, Siyabonga Shibe, Mpho Sebeng, Khayakazi Kula, Sannah Mchunu and brilliant newcomers Gaisang Noge and twelve-year-old, Toivo Muofhe.
Thando played by Zikhona Bali meets an older man who introduces her to the finer things in life. Her affair with her “Blesser” crumbles when she falls pregnant, and he insists she have an abortion. Her feelings of rejection and hurt are further compounded when a video of her being bullied at school goes viral. With nowhere to turn, she is driven to the edge of despair and thoughts of suicide.
Thando gives a chilling glimpse into real life experiences of some South African teenagers who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its Executive Producers Rashaka Muofhe and Kagiso Modupe intentionally chose a predominantly young female cast to drive home the point. The film is emotional, informative, moving, relatable, relevant, suspenseful, thought-provoking, but ultimately uplifting, giving hope to young black girls.
“The film deals with a number of issues, for example skin tone and how having a very dark complexion as opposed to those who are ‘yellow bone’”, says Executive Producer, Rashaka Muofhe. “We deal with gender-based violence, with issues of young girls needing to fit in, the loss of a parent, bullying and how bullying is often a trigger to committing suicide.”
“There is an unacceptably high rate of teenage suicide in South Africa, and I feel that it is a subject that a lot of people talk about when there is a suicide, but once the shock dies down, the issue is swept under the carpet. Our aim was to make a film that was both educational and uplifting, that would give hope to young people who are struggling to cope the many issues that they face, and who have thoughts of suicide.” – Executive Producer, Kagiso Modupe.
Thando is released by Indigenous Film Distribution and will hit cinemas nationwide on 8th April.
