Shirley Adams

PRESS BOOK www.shirleyadamsmovie.com Shirley Adams Portrait of a mother

Length 91 minutes Original Language English and Afrikaans Subtitled Versions English, French Aspect Ratio 1:1.77

Delivery Format HD, Digibeta (Colour, PAL)

Sound Stereo Website www.shirleyadamsmovie.com

Contents:

Credit Block

Logline and Synopsis Director’s Vision

Production Notes Biographies Director Writers Cast Crew Credits: Cast and Crew Producer Contact: Director of Photography Jamie Ramsay Original Music Score Philip Miller Jeremy Nathan and Michelle Wheatley Editor Garreth Fradgley Production Designer Nick Mostert Costume Designer Maleen Nökel Makeup/Hair Naeema Clayton Sound Design Warrick Sony, Jim Petrak & Ivan Milborrow Dv8 Films Sound Recordist Gita Cerveira Online Editor and Colourist Paul Hanrahan PO Box 308, Parklands, 2121 Line Producer Moroba Nkawe 1st Assistant Director/Production Manager Eva Franzen Johannesburg, South Africa Executive Producer Roland Emmerich Co-Producer Kirstin Winkler Tel: +27-11-880-0191 Written by Oliver Hermanus and Stavros Pamballis Produced by Jeremy Nathan and Michelle Wheatley Email: [email protected] & [email protected] Mobile: +27-83-454-8997 & +27-82-336-6897 Directed by Oliver Hermanus Web: www.dv8.co.za www.shirleyadamsmovie.com Centropolis Entertainment Inc London Film School and Dv8 Films in association with

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa (DTI) present A film by Oliver Hermanus

SHIRLEY ADAMS with

Denise Newman and Keenan Arrison “I have known this woman for over a decade. I can’t remember when I first gave her this name.”

Oliver Hermanus

LOGLINE without a trace months ago. Shirley’s life now shooter is one of Donovan’s childhood friends. from his ever-present disability. Shirley is even- The story of a woman who loses her family consists of trying to make ends meet by shop- tually left without an sign of the family she to violence and poverty, but gains her own lifting and relying on the charity of others. Her reaction to the betrayal is so overwhelm- once had. sense of self worth. ing that she chooses not to tell Donovan in When a young, eager occupational thera- fear of further damaging his already unstable Set in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, Shirley Ad- SYNOPSIS pist, Tamsin Ranger, comes into their lives, emotional state. am’s story is symptomatic of the relationship Shirley Adams spends her days caring for Shirley hopes that it might lift her son’s spirits between violence and poverty – the destruc- her disabled son, Donovan - he was shot in and finally put them on path to some form of Determined to make a change in their lives, tion of an entire family is related to one single the back of the neck on his way home from stability. Shirley actively decides to embrace their new incident that cannot be erased or repaired. school one afternoon over a year ago. circumstances, hoping that Donovan will fol- At the same time Shirley receives a phone low her example. Riddled with the socio-political and racial Since then the Adams family has lost all their call one afternoon informing her that Dono- tensions that plague these Cape Flats slums worldly posessions to medical bills. Shirley has vans case is finally going to trial, but the glory But his mental state continues to deteriorate Shirley Adams is the story of one woman’s no money, no job and no husband - he left is short lived when Shirley discovers that the and Tamsin is unsuccessful in distracting him amazing strength and self sacrifice. “Yes - its about race, and crime in post apartheid South Africa, but at its core it is simply the film about a woman, named Shirley Adams.” Oliver Hermanus

DIRECTOR’S NOTES by Oliver Hermanus destroyed an entire family. It has taken ten dinary people, told in an ordinary way. it’s the struggle that this character endures years or so to find the right way of telling ‘Social realism’ is not necessarily a movement that I find most interesting as a filmmaker. Shirley Adams is a woman I have known this story – the right method or technique. reserved for cinema, it is a term that I use to for over a decade. I don’t know when I first express how I interperet this woman. I admire I want you to experience life as she does gave her this name, but she has always been That method was portraiture. My hope is that her, I believe her to be a true survivor – a true during this time. I want you to ‘uncomfort- a mother, who’s son was shot while cross- this film allows you to coexist with Shirley, in her heroine. She is a coloured woman from Mitch- ably’ suspend your disbelief and allow ing a field on his way home from school. home, seeing her struggle to give her son Do- ell’s Plain but she is just like any other poor yourself to be introduced to a place and novan some kind of reason to keep on fight- disenfranchised mother of the world. She is a time that is riddled with hypocrisy and I had heard of such a story at the supper ing the demons that have poisoned his life. desperate. hardship. But out of which should come table one night at home. My sister, retelling a message about survival and strength. an experience she was having as an oc- It is only through the education that I Her story is meant to be simple and unsen- cupational therapy student, working with have subsequently received in filmmak- timental. As much as she fights against the Yes – its about race, and crime in post apart- a disabled youth and his family. She was ing, that I came to discover the filmmak- extinction of everything she has worked heid South Africa, but at its core it is simply the shocked at how this one single event had. ers and the films that tell the stories ofor for her entire life, she cannot stop it, and film about a woman, named Shirley Adams. “I want you to experience life as she does during this time.” BIOGRAPHIES commissioned to adapt the Graphic Novel, His latest theatre production, Dalliances, trav- TAMSIN RANGER Emily Childs Quebrada for Filmmaker SRL (Italy) and his latest elled to Dublin Theatre Festival. Others thea- DIRECTOR AND CO-WRITER Oliver Hermanus feature project, Saving Abeo has been selected tre productions include; The boy who fell from Emily graduated from the University of Cape to the final round of the Channel 4, 4Talent/SWF the roof, The Bacchae, King Lear and his own Town (2007) with a Theatre and Performance 25 year old Oliver, is a Cape Town native who 2009 Pitch In Time competition. award winning play, A Birds Eye View per- Degree. She won the Ruth Pfeffer Award for started his professional career as a press pho- formed at festivals around South Africa. acting and a Fleur du Cap Award as Best Stu- tographer covering events such as the Glas- CAST dent for her final year’s work. tonbury Music Festival and the G-8 Summit. Keenan has made guest appearances in lo- SHIRLEY ADAMS Denise Newman cal TV shows like Madame and Eve and Inter- Emily has been actively involved in theatre He has a BA in Film Media and Visual Stud- rogation Room. His first big television role was and television from a young age and has ies from the University of Cape Town, during Denise Newman is a one of South Africa’s fore- in the action drama Divers Down. He is also worked for numerous local and international which time he was awarded a scholarship to most actresses, dominating the South African a regular feature on Etv’s Shooting Stars, in channels including National Geographic. attend the University of California. performance scene for decades. She has been which he plays the lead. Last year Emily produced and starred in Gone seen in a slew of plays, working with Pieter Dirk- Dottie - a one–woman show. Emily is currently In 2006 acclaimed Hollywood film director Ro- Uys and Athol Fugard, touring nationally and KARIEMA SAMSODIEN Theresa C Sedras a professional actor, M.C, voice artist and land Emmerich (Independence Day) offered globally. Denise has also been part of the lo- founder of new and upcoming production him a private scholarship to complete an MA cal television hits Erfsondes, Generations, Zero Theresa C Sedras has worked in theatre, film, company - Child’s Play Productions. in practical filmmaking at the London Film Tolerance, 7de Laan, and Isidingo among oth- radio and television over the past two dec- School. Oliver has also shot many short films ers. She has starred in five feature films, including ades. PHILDA JACOBS Lee-Ann van Rooi and documentaries. Forgiveness. Denise has won numerous awards and nominations for her work in theatre, televi- She has been the lead in several stage pro- Lee-Ann van Rooi has been working in the CO-WRITER Stavros Pamballis sion and the cinema. ductions, including Medea, and acted in with entertainment industry for nearly 18 years. She renowned theatre artists such as Pieter Dirk Uys has acted in seven TV-series, and the feature Stavros Pamballis received his BFA in Film Pro- DONOVAN ADAMS Keenan Arrison and Peter Snyders. On television she has per- films Interrogation Room, This Life, Fishy Fes- duction from New York University in 2002. He formed in Once upon a Krismis and D.O.T.S. huns, Cape of Good Hope and White Lioness. then returned to his home country, Cyprus, Keenan Arrison (28) is a young vibrant and en- In theatre she has performed in plays such where he spent three years writing and direct- ergetic actor, singer and performer, who gradu- She is a qualified voice artist, and performed as Shirley Goodness & Mercy, Equus, Twelfth ing commercials before moving to London, ated with a BA (Drama, 2005) from the AFDA film on radio, in both English and Afrikaans. She Night, Insane, a Dark Musical and Oedipus, where he completed an MA in Screenwriting school in South Africa. His graduation short film, also uses her talents to help her community, Sex & Circus alongside celebrated directors at the London Film School. Shirley Adams is his Ongeriewe, was nominated for the Palm d’Or teaching a wide variety of workshops for high Janice Honeyman, Pieter-Dirk Uys and Roy first produced feature. He has recently been Short Film Award at Cannes (2006). school and primary school children. Sargent. CREW SOUND DESIGNER AND RE-RECORDING MIXER MUSIC COMPOSER Philip Miller PRODUCTION DESIGNER Nick Mostert Jim Petrak CINEMATOGRAPHER Jamie Ramsay Philip Miller has worked with some of the most Nicholas Mostert excelled in Art and started in Jim Petrak is South Africa’s most prolific and ex- innovative filmakers and artists to emerge the industry with House and Leisure Magazine Jamie Ramsey has photographed the feature perienced ADR recording engineer and 5.1 sur- from South Africa. as assistant to the Decor Editor. films Lullaby by Darrell James Roodt (2007), round sound mixer specializing in Dolby digital and Triomf (2008) by Michael Raeburn. for film. He has composed music for soundtracks to Thereafter he worked for numerous photogra- many local and international films and televi- phers but moved into the film industry during He has filmed numerous short films, commer- Jim has mixed many full length features, short sion productions. the big change from film to digital and found cials and music videos across Africa. features, documentary features, television fea- his niche in the art department. tures and mini-series. Recent films include; Working Titles, Catch A EDITOR Garreth Fradgely Fire directed by Philip Noyce, DV8’s Forgive- Now after eight years he have learnt to visual- He’s worked on many local and international ness, Max and Mona and The Flyer. ise and interpret ideas gaining recognition in Garreth (AFDA Film School, 2000) trained as a projects with directors such as Bronwen Hughes the international market in commercials, get- writer/director and special effects artist. on Stander, Darrel Roodt on Lullaby and Yester- Recent television productions include the acting the opportunity to travel to places like the day, Terry George on Hotel Rwanda, Phillip Noyce claimed documentary series, The First Austral- Maldives and Egypt. He was Visual Effects Supervisor for the fea- on Catch a Fire, Tom Hopper on Red Dust, Leon ians, for SBS Television Australia and the Little ture film Soldiers of the Rock and co-directed Schuster on Mama Jack and Gavin Hood on the Bird’s Glow of the White Woman directed by COSTUME DESIGNER Maleen Nökel & animated the Izinga Zam music video for Oscar-winning film, Tsotsi, among many others. Yunus Vally. TKZ, winning an AVANTI award for Best Broad- Maleen Nökel began her career as Costume cast Animation. Ivan Milborrow Miller has worked with a wide range of video Designer in feature films in 1978 in Berlin assist- artists in South Africa. ing on the Tin Drum by Volker Schlöndorff. Garreth freelances as a 2D, 3D and stop mo- Ivan Milborrow has been recording location tion animator. He is a freelance Director and sound for films in South Africa for more than In particular, he has collaborated extensively Settling in 1980 in Paris she became member Editor, and has directed and edited numer- twenty years. with the internationally acclaimed artist Wil- of the Maison des Artistes starting a career in ous music videos, corporate films and TV liam Kentridge, composing soundtracks to fine art while working in theater as well as the commercials. His credits include the Award Winning Films ‘Yes- many of his animated films, which have been Strasburg Opera and as fashion designer for terday’ and ‘Red Dust’. Following his passion for exhibited all over the world including the Mu- the Parisian Haute Couture house Nina Ricci. He recently completed a short film, Making a sound has led him into the challenging world of seum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Man, which won Best Experimental Film at the Post Production. ‘Shirley Adams’ is the second Museum, New York, and the Serpentine Gal- Cape Town Horror Film Festival (2008). film he’s worked on as a Sound Designer and lery and Tate Modern in London. Sound Editor. In 2001 she became contracted in South Af- Afterwards she worked her way up the ladder rica and has been designing for international and started working as a 1st AD in 1996. productions i.e. feature films, documentaries and TV-series as well as costumes for music She joined the Directors Guild of America in shows. 2000.

LOCATION SOUND Gita Cerveira In 2003, a project brought her to South Africa, and she fell in love with the country. Gita Cerveira has been working in the film industry since 1975. He has worked as a Sound Re- She moved to Cape Town in 2004 and is now cordist for television and feature films in Europe, working as a 1st AD and Production Manager Angola, South Africa and the United States. in both commercials and feature films.

Gita has worked on films such as: LINE PRODUCER Moroba Nkawe Zulu Love Letter, 2004 (dir Ramadan Sule- man), A Tempestade da Terra, 1998 (dir Fern- Moroba Nkawe completed a BComm De- ando D’Almeida e Silva), The Man Who Drove gree in Economics at the University of Cape with Mandela, 1998 (dir Greta Schiller), Marie Town in 2002. Baie des Anges, 1997 (dir Manuel Pradal), “My story takes place Fado majeur et mineur, 1994 (dir Raoul Ruiz), Últi She then entered the film and television indus- mo Mergulho, 1992 (dir João César Montei- try working in various aspects of production. in South Africa, but I ro), A Divina Comédia, 1991 (dir Manoel de Oliveira). Gita is now Head of Production at In 2005 she studied Producing at AFDA. She Angola’s television channel TV Zimbo. has worked on various commercials, TV Series hope that this character (Jozi-H) and feature films, including Country 1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Eva Franzen of My Skull. She was production manager on resonates universally.” Dv8’s Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky, 2008). After getting her start as a Production Coor- Oliver Hermanus dinator in Germany, Eva moved to Los Ange- les in 1993 where she attended film school at UCLA. PRODUCERS The school has always been completely inde- Promised Land (Rotterdam, Tokyo 04) egy consulting. He co-founded HerdBuoys, pendent, and remains so following the validation by Jason Xenopoulos SA’s 1st black-owned advertising agency af- Centropolis Entertainment Inc of its course by London Metropolitan University. Jump the Gun (Berlin 1997) by Les Blair ter 7 years in advertising and brand manage- Shot Down (Mannheim, 1988) ment with J Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Math- Centropolis Entertainment is the production DV8 Films Profile by Andrew Worsdale er and Stellenbosch Farmers Winery. He also company of director Roland Emmerich. He founded Mashabela Leo Burnett, SA’s second along with his sister, producer Uta Emmerich Dv8’s focus is on commercial, challenging stories Jeremy Nathan black-owned ad-agency. formed Centropolis in 1985 and have pro- that are innovative, unique and suitable to be fi- Jeremy Nathan has been involved in the duced over 14 feature films. nanced and produced in South Africa. Dv8 Films South African film and television industries for Ndoda Madalane produces filmed content across the entire spec- nearly twenty years. He has produced numer- Ndoda Madalane is a founder, majority London Film School trum, including feature films, and documentaries, ous features, television dramas, documenta- shareholder and CEO of Tawa Group. A com- commercials and corporates. It produces for the ries and short films. He’s lectured in many lo- pany involved in private equity management The London Film School is the oldest-estab- cinema and television, mobile and Internet dis- cal institutions and written widely about the and real estate developments. He was a co- lished international school of film technique tribution platforms. Some of the recent work pro- industry. founder and shareholder in Shanduka Group in the world, at 50 in 2006. Rather than try duced by the partners in Dv8 Films includes: – an investment holding and Private Equity and create a national cinema, as so many Michelle Wheatley Fund management company - alongside In- government-funded schools have done, LFS Feature Films Michelle graduated from the AFDA Film School vestec, Standard Bank, Cyril Ramaphosa and from the outset fostered a broad, craft-based Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) (Dubai, 2008) in 1998. She joined Devereaux-Harris, produc- other investment professionals. Ndoda was culture of excellence with students from more by Madoda Ncayiyana ing numerous music videos, documentaries, the CEO of the Shanduka Group until 2006. than 80 countries. Zimbabwe (Rotterdam 08) by Darrell and live shows for Channel O. For Dv8 Films, James Roodt she production managed Max & Mona and Buyisile Kubheka The School is a registered charity, a non-prof- Bunny Chow (Toronto, Rotterdam Tigers 07) produced The Flyer. Michelle has produced Buyisile Kubheka completed a BCom Degree itmaking company, limited by guarantee. All by John Barker the world’s first feature film shot on mobile in Accounting and Economics at the Univer- students become members of the Associa- The Flyer (Locarno Grand Piazza, 06) phones, SMS Sugar Man, and co-produced sity of the Witwatersrand in 1997 and did her tion, and, together with the other members, by Revel Fox John Barker’s Bunny Chow. Michelle has re- accounting articles at KPMG. She worked in elect a Board of Governors on which they Forgiveness (Locarno Main, 05) cently been made MD of Dv8 Films. the corporate sector before joining a Film have representation. The Board of Governors by Ian Gabriel Distribution Company (Film Resource Unit) in has the overall responsibility for the manage- Max and Mona (FESPACO, 2006) Dennis Morakiwa Mashabela 2004. In 2006 she moved to the production ment of the school. The current Chairman is by Teddy Mattera Dennis Mashabela is an entrepreneur who has side as a Production accountant. She also the internationally renowned director and LFS Boesman and Lena (Danny Glover, Angela spent the past 20 years primarily in the area of provides accounting services to NGO’s and graduate Mike Leigh. Bassett, New York, 2000) by John Berry advertising, marketing and corporate strat- small companies. The National Film & Video Foundation It is a statutory body mandated by a progres- sive act of Parliament to spearhead the equi- table growth and development of the South African film and video industry.

Our mission CREDITS To create an environment that develops and FRONT CREDITS promotes the South African film and video industry domestically and internationally. Centropolis Entertainment Inc

London Film School Our vision and A quality South African film and video industry Dv8 Films that mirrors and represents the nation, sustains commercial viability, encourages develop- in association with ment and provides a medium through which the creative and technical talents of South National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Africans are able to reach the world. Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa (DTI) Ster-Kinekor Theatres They operate 8 Classic, 32 Junction and 5 present Cinema Nouveau cinemas in South Africa, as well as cinemas in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and A film by Oliver Hermanus Zambia. Ster-Kinekor Home Entertainment handles DVD and video distribution in the SHIRLEY ADAMS same territories. Ster-Kinekor Product Distribu- tion represents two major Hollywood studios, Sony Pictures International and Buena Vista International, and distributes to all exhibitors nationally. It also acquires many local and international independent titles. Shirley Adams Denise Newman Original Music Score Philip Miller Production Co-Ordinator Paul Harker Special Effects Make-Up Evelyn Gambe Donovan Keenan Arrison Editor Garreth Fradgley Production Accountant Buyisile Kubheka Extras Casting Colt Talent Sound Editors Jim Petrak Production Assistants Muditambi Mudau Tamsin Ranger Emily Child Warrick Sony Ashley Corns Cast Driver Fanie Muntz Kariema Samsodien Theresa Sedras Ivan Millborrow Pika Mlangeni Kariem Samsodien Gamiet Petersen Costume Designer Maleen Nökel Agnes Ditshwantsho Post Production Philda Jacobs Lee-Ann van Rooi Make-Up Naeema Clayton Online Editor & Colourist Paul Hanrahan Jeremy Jacobs Travis Snyders Line Producer Moroba Nkawe 2nd Assistant Director Africa Munyama Kurt Williams David Muller 1st Assistant Director/ Eva Frantzen Set PA/Trainee Marchellino Daniels Sound Rerecording Jim Petrak Doctor Adrian Galley Production Manager Set PA Thando Hobongwana Mixer Chelsea Sasha Lee Associate Editor Ruheen Iyler London Film School Nurse Lu Chase Script Supervisor Matthew James Assistant Editor Aurora Drummer Director Ben Gibson Locations & Unit Cyprian Obase ADR Engineer Murray Anderson Pharmacy Assistant #1 Shanaaz Hendricks Head of Studies Alan Bernstein Manager Pharmacy Assistant # 2 Ruth Mpukwana Assistant Locations & Seleimani Rugigane Music Sound Mixer Gavan Eckhardt National Film and Video Foundation Receptionist Suzanne Elizabeth Unit Manager Guitarists Joel Klein Duncan CEO Eddie Mbalo Jannous Aukema Bailiff Mntuwelilizwe Ndamane CFO Karen Son 1st Assistant Camera Nick Turvey Music Studios Digital Cupboard, Jhb Judge Marlene Hyland Head of Development & Ryan Haidarian VT/Camera Trainee Liphumile-Ilanga Publicity Stills Jennifer Wheatley Tamsin’s boyfriend Alfonzo Solomon Production Goduka Flora Lau Development & Clarence Hamilton Key Grip Jarrett Barr Marketing Design Yumna Sadan Director Oliver Hermanus Production Executive Gaffer Jean du Plessis Producers Jeremy Nathan Spark Golden Makhubu French Translator Emilie Demon Ster-Kinekor Distribution Michelle Wheatley Spark Elwin Buchel Executive Producer Roland Emmerich CEO Isabel Rao Generator Operator Frans Mgangane Security Waan Security Services Co-Producer Kirstin Winkler Acquisitions Executive: Helen Kuun Legal Representation Zain Randeree Director of Photography Jamie Ramsay Local Content Boom Operators Thabo Singeni Ollof Esterhuizen Production Designer Nick Mostert Marketing Manager Thobashan Govindarajulu JL Roussouw Cuzen Randeree Hanlie Carstens Screenplay Stavros Pamballis and Dv8 Films Ndoda Madalane Props & Sets Broose Jones & Associates Oliver Hermanus Dennis Mashabela Art Dept Assistant/Intern Orli Barnett Film Insurance CGM Insurance Brokers Dialogue Editor Keenon Daniels Carpenter Fardiel Jamodien Production Vehicles Value Logistics Lighting Equipment MCC Filmed with Sony XDCAM XD3 Camera & Cooke Lenses

Edited on Final Cut Pro

Filmed on location in Cape Town

The Producers would like to thank the following: The Hermanus Family A Dv8 Films Production Bemel Ross & Klein and Associates Brad Ross and Terry Zanella The story, including all names, characters and incidents portrayed in Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre this film, is fictitious. No identification with actual persons, places, Jenny Hendry, Dr Ernst Scriba, Elizma Oosthuizen, buildings, events or products is intended or should be inferred. Sister Burgess, Sister Piedt, Fadila Lagadien All rights reserved. South African Police Service, Mitchell’s Plain Julian Bray Guillaume, Gideon Furst Digitalfilm and MCC

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