PRODUCTION NOTES

 

 

The  Showroom  Theatre  and  Advantage  Entertainment      

Present    

 

DIE  ONTWAKING    

 Writer  &  Director  JOHNNY  BREEDT  

   

Producers  VLOKKIE  GORDON  JOHNNY  BREEDT  GREIG  BUCKLE  

   

Executive  Producers  CHARON  LANDMAN  

     

Starring  GYS  DE  VILLIERS  

JUANITA  DE  VILLIERS  GERARD  RUDOLF  PAUL  EILERS  

MORNE  VISSER  ARMAND  AUCAMP  

JACO  MULLER  TERTIUS  MEINTJIES  

   

SYNPOSIS    A  gruesome  and  action  packed  crime-­‐thriller,  Die  Ontwaking  explores  the  psyche  and  motivations  of  a  serial  killer.  Abel  (Gys  de  Villiers),  owner  of  a  small  gallery  specialising  in  African  masks  and  art,  is  also   curating   a   collection   of   tattoos   belonging   to   beautiful   female   victims  who  will   fit   his   Cosmic  Journal  theme.    Die  Ontwaking  is  based  on  the  first  book  of  the  “Abel”  trilogy,  “Abel  se  Ontwaking”  (translated  into  English  as  “The  Skin  Collector”),  by  well-­‐known  crime  writer  Chris  Karsten.  Abel’s  deranged  mind  is  an  imaginary  composite  of  the  minds  of  some  of  the  most  notorious  fictional  serial  killers,  including  Norman  Bates,  Sweeney  Todd,  Dexter,  Leatherface,  Freddy  Krueger  and,  Jame  Gumb,  the  serial  killer  in  The  Silence  of  the  Lambs,  who  stalks  females  and  skins  them  in  an  attempt  to  create  a  female  skin  suit.  The  primary   inspiration  for  Abel,  however,  comes  from  real-­‐life  American  murderer  and  body  snatcher   Ed   Gein.   Gein   exhumed   corpses   from   local   graveyards   and   fashioned   trophies   and  keepsakes  from  their  bones  and  skin.      In  the  film,  Ella  Nesser   (Juanita  de  Villiers)   is   the  attractive,  but   inexperienced  murder  detective   in  charge  of  the  case.  Her  main  task  is  to  track  down  the  serial  killer  who  has  been  preying  on  the  city’s  young   women.     While   trying   to   prove   herself   to   her   more   senior   colleagues   (Paul   Eilers,   Gerard  Rudolf),  she  is  also  struggling  with  her  break  up  with  her  boyfriend  (Armand  Aucamp).    Abel  is  smart  and  the  young  detective  struggles  to  make  headway  with  the  case.  As  more  victims  are  found,  an  easy  culprit  emerges  –  a  well   to  do  businessman  with  a   link   to   them  all   (Morne  Visser),  distracting  her  from  the  real  killer  who  is  continuing  his  work.      For  his  upcoming  fiftieth  birthday,  Abel  has  a  special  gift  in  mind  for  himself  -­‐  a  new  face:  that  of  a  beautiful  young  woman,  perhaps  that  of  a  young  female  detective.    The  film  is  a  collaboration  between  The  Showroom  Theatre,  Advantage  Entertainment  and  Enigma  Pictures.    Die  Ontwaking  premiered  at  Silwerskermfees  2014.  The  film  went  on  to  win  the  Best  Feature  Film  Award  at  the  2015  Indie  Karoo  Film  Festival.      Social  media  platforms:  Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DieOntwaking  Twitter:  twitter.com/DieOntwaking  Instagram:  instagram.com/dieontwaking/  

MEDIA  RELEASES    Afrikaans  crime  writer’s  terrifying  thriller  adapted  for  the  big  screen  (19  October  2015)    Die   Ontwaking   (‘The   Awakening’),   a   grisly,   action-­‐packed   thriller   that   investigates   the   mind   and  motivations  of  an  acutely  intelligent  serial  killer,  will  open  in  selected  cinemas  around  the  country  on  26  February  2016.      The   film   is   the   directorial   debut   of   acclaimed   production   designer   Johnny   Breedt   (Paljas,   Hotel  Rwanda,  A  Long  Walk  to  Freedom),  and  has  been  hailed  as  a  game-­‐changer  for  South  African  film.  Die  Ontwaking   is   based  on   the   first   book  of   the   ‘Abel’   trilogy,  Abel   se  Ontwaking   (translated   into  English  as  The  Skin  Collector),  by  well-­‐known  crime  writer  Chris  Karsten.    Abel  Lotz  (Gys  de  Villiers),  the  owner  of  a  small  art  gallery  specialising  in  African  masks  and  artefacts,  is   also   a   curator   of   a   different   kind:   he   has   an   assortment   of   tattoos  which   he   harvests   from   the  bodies  of  his  beautiful  young  victims  for  a  collection  that  forms  part  of  his  ‘cosmic  journals’,  a  bizarre  project  in  which  he  retells  the  story  of  the  cosmos.          Ella  Nesser  (Juanita  de  Villiers)  is  the  attractive,  but  inexperienced  police  detective  in  charge  of  the  case.  Her  task  is  to  track  down  the  serial  killer  before  yet  another  young  woman  is  murdered.  She  is  in  a  long-­‐term  relationship  with  Bam  (Armand  Aucamp),  and  while  she  works  hard  to  prove  herself  to  her  more  senior  colleagues  Fred  Lange  (Gerard  Rudolf)  and  Silas  Sauls  (Paul  Eilers),  she  also  has  to  deal  with  personal  issues,  including  breaking  up  with  her  boyfriend.    Abel  is  smart  and  his  commitment  to  completing  the  cosmic  journal  is  unwavering.  On  the  eve  of  his  fiftieth  birthday,  he  decides   it’s   time   for  a  new   look:  he   is   to  harvest  a   face   from  an  unsuspecting  victim,   preferably   female   and   beautiful,   as   his  mother   always  wanted   a   daughter.   The   young   cop  would  do  nicely.    “A  few  years  ago  I  decided  I  wanted  to  direct  a  film  in  Afrikaans  and  I  popped  into  a  book  store  to  look   for   inspiration,”  says  Breedt.  “That’s  when   I  came  across  Chris  Karsten’s  Abel  se  Ontwaking.   I  read  it  on  a  flight  to  the  USA  and  I  could  not  put  it  down.  I  just  knew  that  it  could  be  turned  into  a  fantastic  film.  The  thriller  genre  is  much  darker  than  what  I  had  in  mind  for  my  first  feature  film,  but  that  was  also  what  attracted  me  to  the  project.   I  wanted  to  challenge  myself  as  a  scriptwriter  and  director  and  this  was  the  perfect  vehicle.  I  was  determined  to  take  the  audience  with  me  into  places  that  make  people  feel  uncomfortable."    The  film  explores  how  twisted  societies  also  produce  traumatised,  deeply  wounded  individuals,  who  eventually   turn   to  violent  behaviour.  At   its  heart,  Die  Ontwaking  delves   into   the  complex  dynamic  between  the  deranged,  yet  sympathetic  Abel  Lotz  and  the  rookie  police  investigator  who  is  resilient,  fit  and  focused.  The  film  plays  with  the  mind  of  its  audience  and  keeps  people  on  the  edge  of  their  seats  wondering  what  on  earth  goes  on  in  the  head  of  a  psychopath.    The  motif  of  skin  –  which  covers  the  body  while  forming  the  membrane  between  the  self  and  world  –   forms   the   basis   for   an   investigation   into   the   ways   in   which   we   see   ourselves,   the   way   we   are  perceived  by  others,  and  the  ways  in  which  our  experiences  become  etched  in  our  skins.      Die  Ontwaking  has  been  selected  to  screen  on  the  opening  night  of  Eden  Independent  Film  Festival  in  George,  which  runs  from  30  October  to  1  November  2015.  It  will  also  play  on  the  closing  night  of  the   South   African   Horror   Fest   in   Cape   Town   on   6   November   2015.  

 THE  MAKING  OF  –  DIRECTOR’S  NOTE   A  few  years  ago  I  set  out  to  make  an  Afrikaans  film  and  I  happened  to  walk  into  a  book  shop,  hoping  for  some  inspiration.  There  I  stumbled  across  “Abel  se  Ontwaking”,  written  by  Chris  Karsten.  I  read  the  book  while  on  a  flight  to  the  USA  and  simply  could  not  put  it  down.  Chris  had  written  the  award-­‐winning  book  as  the  first  part  of  a  trilogy  and  I  believed  it  would  make  a  great  film.  The  genre  was  a  lot  darker  than  what  I  initially  thought  my  first  feature  would  be,  but  that’s  what  attracted  me  to  the  project.   I   wanted   to   challenge   myself   both   as   a   writer   and   a   director,   and   this   seemed   like   the  perfect  project  to  do  so.      The  film  was  funded  by  Charon  Landman,  The  Showroom  Theatre  and  the  Department  of  Trade  and  Industry.  I  was  also  fortunate  to  have  two  heavyweight  producers  on  board  –  Vlokkie  Gordon  from  Advantage   Entertainment   and   Greig   Buckle   from   Enigma   Pictures.   Their   experience   proved  invaluable.    Because  I  had  previously  worked  as  a  production  designer,  I  had  a  visual  concept  of  the  film  in  mind  as  I  was  writing  it.  Once  we  started  scouting  for  locations,  some  of  these  ideas  were  either  enhanced  or  discarded.   I  brought  Cecelia   van  Straaten,  with  whom   I  had  worked  previously  on  a  number  of  films,  on  board  as  the  production  designer.  We  shared  the  same  vision,  and  I  had  the  advantage  of  knowing  that  she  knows  how  I  think,  what  appeals  to  me  and  what  does  not.  Cecelia  gave  the  film  a  simple,  yet  authentic  look.      The  book  itself  was  set  in  Johannesburg,  but  we  made  a  decision  to  move  the  location  to  Cape  Town.    Cecelia   and   I   had   to   find   places   that  would   still   give   us   “real  world”   feeling   and  we   rediscovered  areas  in  Cape  Town  that  both  of  us  had  either  forgotten  about,  or  never  knew  existed.  These  areas,  often  referred  to  as  beyond  the  “boerewors  curtain”,  formed  the  perfect  backdrop  for  the  story.  The  film  was  shot  entirely  in  Cape  Town  in  18  days.      To   complement   the   production   design,   I   was   fortunate   to   work   with   director   of   photography,  Jacques   Koudstaal,  who  had   just   recently   finished   filming   the   box   office   success  Pad   na   Jou  Hart.  Although   his   previous   work   had   never   been   in   this   sort   of   genre,   he   was   the   perfect   choice.   He  managed  to  light  the  sets  beautifully.      We  wanted  to  give  the  film  a  more  international  feel  as  far  as  the  look  goes,  and  this  with  achieved  by  both  the  art  direction  and  cinematography.  Mandy  Roberts  who  had  previously  done  Verraaiers,  was  the  editor  and  she  added  an  edgy  feel  to  the  flow  of  the  scenes.     Johnny  Breedt,  Director  and  Writer

CAST      Gys  de  Villiers  –  Abel  Lotz  Abel   is  a   loner,  a   collector  of  ethnic  masks,  animal  pelts  and  a   thirst   for  human   tattoos.  He   is   the  cool,  calm  serial  killer  on  a  mission  to  get  a  new  face  for  himself.    Abel   is   played   by   Gys   de   Villiers,   a   household   name   who   has   appeared   in   several   theatre  productions,  TV  series  and  well  known  films.  De  Villiers  is  best  known  for  his  role  as  Zieg  Combrink  in  M-­‐Net's  soap  Binnelanders.  His  first  theatre  role  was  with  Lochner  de  Kock  and  Marie  Human,  in  The  Three  der  Walts.  After  that,  made  a  career  out  of  acting  and  studied  drama  at  the  University  of  Cape  Town.    In  1983  he  joined  PACT  where  he  worked  with  the  likes  of  Marius  Weyers,  Sandra  Prinsloo  and  Tobie  Cronje.  For  the  first  10  years  of  his  career,  De  Villiers  focused  only  on  theatre  work.  His  first  major  TV  role  was  in  1993  in  Triptiek  1  and  2  and  later  Die  Vierde  Kabinet.  He  went  on  to  play  leading  roles  in  popular  soaps,  7de  Laan,  Binnelanders  and  Isidingo.    He  has  also  appeared  in  films  such  as  Boetie  Gaan  Border  Toe!  (1984),  Paljas  (1998)  Jimmy  in  Pienk  (2013),  Strikdas   (2015)  and  played  FW  de  Klerk   in  Mandela:  Long  Walk  to  Freedom   (2013).  He  was  also  awarded  the  prize  for  Best  Actor  at  the  2012  Silwerskerm  Film  Festival   for  his  performance   in  Verraaiers  (2013).  In   early   2015,   De   Villiers   and   his   wife   relocated   to   New   York   City.   There,   he   was   seen   in   Athol  Fugard's  latest  play  The  Painted  Rocks  at  Revolver  Creek.  De  Villiers  also  received  much  acclaim  for  his  performance  in  Fafi,  which  was  part  of  the  New  York  Fringe  Festival  and  also  performed  at  the  InniBos  Festival  in  Nelspruit,  under  the  title  Elsie  se  Nommers.    

 

Juanita  de  Villiers  –  Detective  Ella  Neser    Ella  Neser  has  just  landed  her  first  murder  case  when  a  dead  body  turns  up  in  her  jurisdiction.  Soon  she  realises  she   is   in  over  her  head  as  more  bodies   turn  up.  Dead  set  on  proving  herself,   the  case  consumes  her.      In  the  role  of  Ella  is  Juanita  de  Villiers,  a  multi-­‐talented  actress,  dancer  and  performer.  She  made  her  professional  debut   in  2006  with  the  Grahamstown  festival  production  Lost   in  Thought,  directed  by  Christa-­‐Louie  van  Heerden.    In   2009   she   worked   under   the   direction   of   Shareen   Swart   in   the   comical   theatre   production  Hemelbed.  Her  television  debut  was  on  the  well-­‐known  soap,  7de  Laan  and  she  was  later  also  seen  in  MNet’s  Binnelanders.  De  Villiers  had  the  opportunity  to  work  under  the  direction  of  Pieter  Bosch  Botha  in  the  play  Noises  Off,  and  appeared  in  acclaimed  playwright  Reza  de  Wet's,  Mis,  directed  by  Andre  Stolz.    She  has  since  been  seen  in  films  such  as  Bakgat  2,  Koringberg,  Knysna,  Somer  Son,  and  Die  Pro.  Her  biggest  role  to  date  is  as  the  female  lead  in  Die  Ontwaking.      Gerard  Rudolf  –  Fred  Lange  Compared  to  Ella,  Fred  is  a  veteran  detective.  His  nose  is  out  of  joint  when  Ella  gets  this  case,  but  he  nevertheless  assists  her  in  seeking  the  killer.    Gérard  Rudolf  is  a  well-­‐known  actor,  voice  artist,  writer,  director  and  poet.    He  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pretoria  with  a  BA  Degree  in  Drama  and  English  Literature.      

He   started  his   career   in   1992   in   the   TV   series,  Arende   II.   He   has   since   been   seen   in   numerous   TV  shows,   such   as  Getroud  met   Rugby,  Binnelanders,   and  Bloedbroers.   He  was   nominated   for   a   Best  Actor  SAFTA  for  his  performance  in  Donkerland.  His  most  recent  film  highlights  are:  Jadotville;  Jimmy  in  Pienk  and  Wolwedans  in  die  Skemer.  Rudolf  was  also  seen  in  the  Bengali  film,  Chander  Pahar  the  ambitious  adaptation  of  the  Indian  novel  of   the   same   name.   He   won   the   Best   Actor   Award   at   the   2015   Silverskerm   Festival   for   the   eye-­‐opening  short  film,  Vryslag.  He   is   also   a   poet,   and   published   his   first   collection   of   poetic   writings   in   2009,   named  "Orphaned  Latitudes”.  

   Paul  Eilers  –  Silas  Sauls  Silas  is  the  commanding  officer,  a  super  sleuth  in  his  day,  but  now  nearing  his  retirement.  Because  he  has  a  soft  spot  for  her,  he  gives  Ella  her  first  break,  but  he  always  there  to  offer  a  guiding  hand.    Paul   Eilers   started   his   40-­‐year   long   career   in   the   entertainment   industry   as   an   editor   and   later  director  on  television  movies  and  series.    In   1963,   he   joined   Johan   Fourie’s   theatre   company   and   spent   three   years   touring   the   country,  working  as  company  manager,  stage  manager  and  actor.  He   later   joined  KRUIK,  doing  hundreds  of  performances  of  Die  Laaste  van  die  Takhare  and  directing  almost  all  the  regional  theatre  groups.  In  1972,   Paul   joined   the   Afrikaans   Service   of   the   SABC   as   radio   host   and   director   of   various   radio  dramas.  He  established  himself  as  a  household  name  in  the  popular  Afrikaans  prison  television  series  Vyfster  in   1984.  He  went  on   to   star   in  well-­‐known   series,  Dokter,  Dokter   and  Song   vir   Katryn.   In   1996  he  joined   the   organising   committee   of   the   Klein   Karoo   Nasionale   Kunstefees   as   the   director   of  marketing.  Living  in  Oudsthoorn,  he  established  community  radio  station,  Suid-­‐Kaap  Stereo.  But  it  was  his  return  to  the  stage  playing  the  title  role  in  Faan  se  Trein  that  has  established  him  firmly  as   one   of   South   Africa’s   best   actors.   His   performance   received   standing   ovations   from   audiences  nationwide  with  the  play  winning  the  Herrie-­‐Kanna  Award  for  Audience  Popularity.    Later   in   his   career,   his   attention   shifted   to   directing   again   after   he   was   approached   to   make  Roepman   in   2011.   The  movie  was  hit   at   the  box  office,   receiving  wide   critical   and  public   acclaim,  cementing  Eilers  firmly  in  his  new  role  as  director.  He  went  on  to  direct  further  films  Verraiers  and  Stuur  Groete   aan  Mannetjies   Roux.   However,   he   still  works   as   an   actor,   “If   the   role   suits  me,”   he  says.        Morne  Visser  –  Dawid  Eigelaar  Dawid   is   a   charmer   amongst   the   ladies,   a  wealthy   local   businessman  with   a   connection   to   all   the  victims,  soon  making  him  a  suspect  in  the  murder  case.    In  the  role  of  Dawid  is  Morne  Visser,  who  has  credits   in  international  films  such  as  City  of  Violence  (Zulu),  Mandela:  Long  Walk  to  Freedom  and  Racing  Stripes.  He  can  also  be  seen  in  the  third  season  of  Black  Sails.  He  will  also  be  seen  in  the  soon  to  be  released  The  Odyssey,  starring  Audrey  Tautou.  Locally,   he   is   known   for   his   TV   roles   in   S.O.S,   Scandal,   Orion   and   Vallei   van   Sluiers.  He   has   also  starred  in  the  films,  Skoonheid,  Retribution,  Cape  of  Good  Hope  and  now,  Die  Ontwaking.    Not   one   to   shy   away   from   a   tough   role,   Visser   was   seen   in   the   internationally   acclaimed   and  controversial  film  Skoonheid.  He  recently  won  the  Best  Actor  award  at  the  Silwerskermfees  2015  for  the  Dis  ek,  Anna,  tackling  the  difficult  subject  matter  of  child  abuse.        

Armand  Aucamp  –  Bam  Bam  is  Ella’s  boyfriend,  at  least  until  she  catches  him  in  bed  with  another  girl.  He  tries  his  best  to  get  back  with  her  and  ultimately  discovers  that  she  too  is  being  stalked  by  the  serial  killer.    Armand  Aucamp  has  worked  in  TV,  film,  theatre  and  radio  both  as  an  actor  and  producer.  Over  the  past  six  years,  he  worked  extensively,  locally  and  abroad.  His  theatre  credits  include,  Mary  and  the  Conqueror  (CPT,  JHB,  Dublin)  in  which  he  portrayed  Alexander  the  Great,  Iago  in  Othello  directed  by  Mary   Dreyer,   Bladsy   3  by   Vicky   Davis,   Huis   Toe   (The   Afrikaans   adaptation   of   Harold   Pinter’s   ‘The  Homecoming’  directed   by   Henry  Milne)   and   playing   the   title   role   of  Cardenio:   Shakespeare’s   Lost  Play  at  Maynardville.    His   latest  TV  credentials   include  Sterlopers,  Pandjewinkelstories,  HBO’s  Homeland  Season  4  as  well  as  the  CBC  6-­‐part  mini-­‐series,  The  Book  of  Negros,  starring  opposite  Cuba  Gooding  Jr  and  Aunjanue  Ellis.    He   has   also  worked   on   a   number   of   international   feature   films   including  Mandela:   Long  Walk   to  Freedom,  21st  Century  Fox’s  Chronicle,  BBC’s  Mankind  and  most  recently,  Gavin  Hood’s  latest  feature  film,  Eye  in  the  Sky.      Locally,  he  has  worked  on  feature  films  such  as  Knysna  and  Die  Ontwaking.  Aucamp  is  currently  to  be   seen   as   the   new   Jacques   Rynhard   in   Ballade   vir   ‘n   Enkeling.   He   also   plays   the   lead   in   a   new  kykNET  drama  series,  Die  Boekklub.  He  is  currently  filming  season  two  of  Sterlopers  for  kykNET,  and  goes  into  production  early  next  year  for  the  epic  biopic  Krotoa  as  Jan  van  Riebeeck.      Jaco  Muller  –  Andy  Collipepper    An  investigative  journalist  for  the  local  newspaper,  Andy  covers  the  serial  killer  story  and  becomes  an  unknowing  pawn  in  the  killer’s  game.      Jaco   Muller   studied   audio-­‐visual   production   management   at   the   University   of   Johannesburg   and  kept   his   acting   bug   alive   by   performing   for   the   UJ   Arts   Academy.   He   furthered   his   studies   and  obtained   a   BA   (Hons)   degree   in   Drama   with   Film   and   Directing   from   the   University   of   the  Witwatersrand  in  2005.    Muller   has   been   acting   professionally   since   then,   and   apart   from   film   and   television,   still   enjoys  running  up  and  down  on  stage.  He  has  a  long  list  of  original  and  classical  musicals  behind  his  name,  including  Showboat,  with  which  he  toured  the  UK  in  2014.  He  is  best  known  for  parts  in  Liefling,  Pad  na  Jou  Hart,  Angus  Buchan's  Ordinary  People,  Angel  of  the  Skies  and  Kite.  In  2016,  he  will  be  starring  in  Modder  en  Bloed  and  Die  Ontwaking.  Muller   has   appeared   in   numerous   television   programs   such   as   Unsung   Heroes,   Erfsondes,  Donkerland   and   Swartwater   amongst   others.   He   is   looking   forward   to   the   upcoming   series  Bloedbroers,  as  well  as,   the  second  season  of  Sterlopers   in  which  he   reprises  his   role  as   "Henk"   in  2016.    He  directs  music  videos  as  well  as  short-­‐form  content  for  a  variety  of  corporate  clients  in  his  spare  time.  As   a  musician,  Muller   enjoys   playing   bass   guitar   and   currently   plays  with   T.A.B.O.   alongside  Steyn  de  Wet  with  whom  he  writes,  records  and  performs.      Tertius  Meintjies  –  Dr  Koster  Dr  Koster  is  the  pathologist  who  performs  autopsies  and  determines  how  Abel’s  victims  have  died.      In  the  role  of  the  pathologist  is  actor  and  photographer  Tertius  Meintjies,  who  is  best  known  for  his  film  roles  as  Joyboy  in  Agter  Elke  Man  (1990),  as  Lieutenant  Bloem  in  Sarafina!  (1992),  and  his  roles  in   and  Mandela   and   de   Klerk   (1997)   and   The   Librarian:   Return   to   King   Solomon's   Mines   (2006),  

CREW    

Johnny  Breedt  –  writer,  director  and  producer  Johnny  Breedt  completed  a  four-­‐year  national  diploma  in  Theatre  &  Stage  Design  with  distinction,  at  Tshwane  University  in  Pretoria.    Thereafter  he  held  various  positions  within  the  Art  Department  on  local  and   international   films  mostly  as  art  director.  His  debut  as  production  designer,  was  for   local  film   A   Woman   of   Colour,   followed   by   Paljas,   for   which   he   received   an   MNET   All-­‐Africa   Award  nomination  for  Best  Art  Direction.  Directed  by  Katinka  Heyns,  Paljas  was  the  first  South  African  film  entered  into  the  Best  Foreign  Film  category  for  an  Academy  Award.  Breedt  also  designed  Terry  George’s  Hotel  Rwanda  (United  Artists),  and  Phillip  Noyce’s  Catch  a  Fire  (Universal  Pictures).  For  the  latter,  he  was  nominated  for  a  South  African  Film  and  Television  Award  (SAFTA).   He   also   designed   Wes   Craven’s   remake   of   The   Last   House   on   the   Left   (Rogue  Films/Universal  Pictures).  For  HBO,  BBC,  and  HWC,  Breedt  collaborated  with  Anthony  Minghella  on  The  No.  1  Ladies’  Detective  Agency.  He   then   designed   the   biopic   Mandela:   The   Long   Walk   to   Freedom,   produced   by   Anant   Singh  (VideoVision)   and   directed   by   Justin   Chadwick.   For   this   he   was   awarded   the   SAFTA   for   Best  Production  Design.  He  also  designed  Gavin  Hood’s  new  Film  Eye  in  the  Sky,  as  well  as  the  TV  series  Of  Kings  and  Prophets  for  Disney/ABC.  Breedt  wrote  and  directed  the  short  film  The  Far  Far  Tree  in  2011.  Die  Ontwaking  is  his  first  feature  film.      Vlokkie  Gordon  –  producer,  Advantage  Entertainment  Vlokkie  Gordon  is  the  founder  of  Advantage  Entertainment.  With  a  30-­‐year  career  in  entertainment,  she  specialises  in  finance  structure,  and  is  regularly  engaged  with  South  Africa’s  key  funding  organs.    With  more   than   50  major  motion   picture   and   television   producing   credits   to   her   name,   including  such   titles   as  Mandela:   Long  Walk   to   Freedom,  Chronicle,  Wes   Craven’s   The   Breed   and   Academy  Award   winner   Anthony   Minghella’s   The   No.   1   Ladies   Detective   Agency,   Gordon   is   one   of   South  Africa’s   most   accomplished   line   producers,   and   highly   sought-­‐after   supervising   producer   of  international  productions  shot  in  South  Africa.    In  2014,  she  produced  four  local  Films,  Die  Ontwaking,  Hollywood  in  my  Huis,  Breathe  /  Umphefumlo  and  Uitvlucht.  She   is   currently   facilitating   two   international   TV   series.   Jamillah   &   Aladdin   is   a   26-­‐part   children’s  series   produced   by   Kindle   Entertainment   for   the   BBC.  Of   Kings   and   Prophets   is   the   new   flagship  series  for  ABC  Network,  entirely  shot  on  location  and  studios  in  and  around  Cape  Town.  Advantage  Entertainment   is  also   the   local  production  partner   to  Pathê’s  new  feature   film,  A  United  Kingdom,  filming  in  Botswana  and  Zambia.  

 CAST  

 GYS  DE  VILLIERS           Abel  Lotz    JUANITA  DE  VILLIERS           Detective  Ella  Neser    GERARD  RUDOLF             Fred  Lange    PAUL  EILERS             Silas  Sauls    MORNE  VISSER             Dawid  Eigelaar    ARMAND  AUCAMP     Bam    JACO  MULLER         Andy  Collipepper  

       TERTIUS  MEINTJIES     Dr  Koster  

     

CREW    

Director         JOHNNY  BREEDT    

Producer         VLOKKIE  GORDON    Producer         JOHNNY  BREEDT    Producer         GREIG  BUCKLE  

 Cinematographer         JACQUES  KOUDSTAAL            Production  Designer       CECELIA  VAN  STRAATEN          Costume  Designer           DIANA  CILLIERS          Costume  Designer           PHILIP  STAPELBERG    Editing             MANDY  ROBERTS      Original  Score           IAN  THOMAS      Executive  Producer       CHARON  LANDMAN          Scriptwriter       JOHNNY  BREEDT    

     

Based  on  the  novel  “Abel  Se  Ontwaking”  by  Chris  Karsten