{"id":63,"date":"2013-02-05T13:29:41","date_gmt":"2013-02-05T11:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=63"},"modified":"2013-09-13T12:37:10","modified_gmt":"2013-09-13T10:37:10","slug":"stellar-cast-provides-plenty-of-laughs-in-new-mockumentary-about-ageing-diva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2013\/02\/05\/stellar-cast-provides-plenty-of-laughs-in-new-mockumentary-about-ageing-diva\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellar Cast Provides Plenty Of Laughs In New Mockumentary About Ageing Diva"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018To The Power of Anne\u2019, a film in the faux-reality genre, tracks aging stage actress Anne Power\u2019s struggle to revive her career and claw her way back into the limelight. The film shows what happens when Power has a reality television crew assigned to her as she auditions for the lead in a new theatrical production, \u2018Woman of a Certain Age\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cComedy is at the heart of this film,\u201d says director Robert Haynes. \u201cMy preference is for comedy that is awkward and irreverent, in the vein of the HBO series \u2018Curb Your Enthusiasm\u2019. \u2018To the Power of Anne\u2019 is similarly a semi-improvised comedy<\/em> based loosely on Anne\u2019s life and personality as a star, and designed to poke a bit of fun at her. Another series that inspired me during the making of this film was \u2018Modern Family\u2019, which is also presented in mockumentary style, with the characters frequently talking to the camera.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Director<\/a>
Director Robert Haynes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Power herself takes the lead in the film and stars as herself \u2013 one of South Africa\u2019s most well-known theatre personalities, deftly and sometimes poignantly exploring what it means to turn 50 and be sidelined. She is supported by sitcom darling Terence Bridgett, who has starred in \u2018Isidingo\u2019, \u20187de Laan\u2019, \u2018Backstage\u2019, \u2018Zero Tolerance\u2019, \u2018Snitch\u2019, \u2018The Lab\u2019 and the Canadian co-production, \u2018Jozi H\u2019. He has also appeared in a number of international feature films.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerence is known as a bit of a soap slut,\u201d says Haynes. \u201cHe is in fact a delight to work with because he has had so much experience and is extremely professional. He also has an amazing grasp of comedy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also appearing in the film is Wim Vorster, who has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1971 as actor, director, playwright, MC, stage manager and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all close friends, so there was a lot of adlibbing throughout the making of the film,\u201d says Haynes. \u201cThat has introduced even more comedy into the film than was originally scripted and gave us the opportunity to re-shoot certain scenes in a variety of different ways. As an editor by training, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of being able to choose from a number of different interpretations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The music for the film was chosen specifically to drive the narrative and comprises a range of standards and classics like \u2018The Rose\u2019 and \u2018If You Go Away\u2019, all suited to Power\u2019s potent voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tracks have been re-worked and are relevant to what is taking place on screen,\u201d adds Haynes.\u00a0 He says that the film is a strong statement against ageism told in an acerbic and often hilarious way. \u201cThere is no reason why a gorgeous woman in her 50s should be unable to find work on the stage or on screen,\u201d says Haynes. \u201cThe film highlights the harshness of the world of show business and also how important it is never to lose hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

To The Power of Anne will be released by Indigenous Film Distribution at selected cinemas on 29 March 2013.<\/p>\n

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