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PHOTO-2024-10-09-12-34-44

Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye

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STORY WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY LIESE KUHN.
PRODUCED BY FREE WOMEN FILMS: CAROLYN CAREW, JUDI NWOKEDI & TSHOLO MASHILE.

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South African film producer Carolyn Carew of Free Women Films had a momentous encounter in 2020 at the Durban Filmmart Talents program, where she discovered the budding talent of Liese Kuhn. During the event, Kuhn pitched her feature film project “Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye.” Mentored by industry veteran Kethiwe Ngcobo, Kuhn’s presentation stood out for its meticulous attention to detail, leading Carew to remark, “I knew this was a talent I could not pass up on. Her eye for detail was something I had not seen in years.”

Recognizing Kuhn’s potential, Carew partnered with her to bring the project to fruition. Their collaboration was quickly rewarded with a scholarship to the prestigious Sundance Script Revision Collab, where Kuhn was mentored by Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal. Additionally, she participated in the Visual Directing Collab under the guidance of Bill Dill, former chair of the American Film Institute. “Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye” continued to gain traction, being selected for JETS in 2022 and later chosen as one of the 11 African projects for the Pavillon Afriques Accelerator Program at Marché du Film in Cannes in 2023.

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In September 2023, the project received PESP funding from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), enabling the film to commence shooting in July and August 2024. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Jazzara Jaslyn (The Professionals, Warrior, One Piece), Kathleen Stephens (Death of a Whistleblower, One Piece), Erica Wessels, Brent Palmer, Jennifer Steyn, Nicky Rebelo, David Sherwood, Ntombi Makhutshi, Megan Choritz and Kate Normington.

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A Story of Grief and Growth

“Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye” primarily targets young women aged 24-34, specifically those who are recent university graduates or young adults striving to secure their desired career path in culturally diverse cities. These cities, while developed, still exhibit signs of segregation. The film resonates with young adults who have recently experienced or are currently experiencing grief, be it from the loss of a loved one or an ideal. Drawing inspiration from films like Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, Alfonso Gomez’s Me, Earl and The Dying Girl, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s series Fleabag, the film is a marriage of heart and humor. It explores the coming-of-age journey of a twenty-something as she grapples with mortality and the loss of ideals, all while navigating the awkwardness of adulthood. The protagonist, Sam, faces her mental well-being and financial instability head-on, embodying perseverance amidst constant disappointments. Her journey offers a unique blend of comedy and poignancy, highlighting the awkward, clumsy, and wonderful moments of young adulthood. Through its offbeat tragicomedy lens, “Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye” celebrates female friendship and the resilience of the human spirit.

Crafting the Cinematic Vision

The film was expertly lensed by Marius de Nysschen, known for his work on Dinge van ‘n Kind and Surviving Gaza. Production design was led by Rocco Pool, who brought his experience from Gaia and Kanarie to create the film’s unique aesthetic. Filming took place in Cape Town during the winter, creating a distinctive look and feel that contrasts with the typical summer portrayal of the city. This choice added a fresh visual perspective, capturing the city’s rarely-seen atmospheric beauty. With filming wrapped, Extravagant Ways to Say Goodbye has now moved into post-production, with the first rough cut completed by the talented Eva du Preez. As the film transitions through this critical phase, the team will seek further post-production funding to ensure the film’s technical and artistic quality meets the high standards set by the creative vision. They are also in pursuit of a sales agent and distributor to bring the film to a broader audience, marking the next chapter in this exciting journey. 

“But I can’t stop thinking that if I just lived my life in a certain way or managed to follow some sort of plan, that..that it would save her.” – SAM

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WE BEEN SELECTED TO PRESENT SA AT THE 96TH ACADEMY AWARDS – SA SUBMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

Media Release

Filmmakers jubilant as documentary Music is My Life secures SA submission for Academy Awards

Music is My Life – Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a directorial debut documentary feature produced by veteran filmmaker Carolyn Carew and directed by Sowetan-born first time director Mpumi “Supa” Mbele, has been announced as the National Film and Video Foundations’ (NFVF) International Feature Film submission for the 96th Annual Academy Awards (2024).

 “We are humbled to be selected by the SA and NFVF selection committee to represent SA at the 96th Academy Awards; this is a first for a documentary film to be selected in the International Feature Film section,” says Carolyn Carew, the film’s Lead Producer. “As a team, we worked tirelessly with the band, his family and the Foundation to tell his story. To be in his presence was to be left in awe of his deep commitment to his craft, informed by his love of music, the land, his spirituality, and his dedication to bring his unique and powerful voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music to the world.”  

READ PRESS RELEASE
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Seconds

Brace yourself for the knockout sports drama event of the year! SECONDS is coming to Amazon Prime on June 2nd, and 13th July on EVOD, you won’t want to miss it!

From the director Liese Kuhn and the talented pen of writer Andrico Goosen, SECONDS takes you on an emotional journey through the life of Seconds Khumalo, a seasoned boxer hailing from the East Rand of Johannesburg. 

Produced by the powerhouse teams at Full Circle Productions and Free Women Films, this feature-length masterpiece stars the incomparable Vusi Kunene, the mesmerizing Mmabatho Mogomotsi, and the brilliant Carel Nel. Their performances will leave you breathless as they bring this gripping tale to life. Casting by Wesley Gainer. Commissioned by Helga Palmer (Evod)

In SECONDS, the boundaries between family, loyalty, and ambition blur as Seconds finds himself caught in a web of unanswered questions and buried traumas. For years, he has trained under Pa Van Tonder while working at the family butchery, but tensions rise when Pa starts feeling threatened by Seconds’ son, Lukas Khumalo, an up-and-coming politician. It’s a battle that goes beyond the boxing ring.

As the final countdown begins, the truth unravels, exposing a dark underbelly of deceit, betrayal, and an underground boxing syndicate. Along the way, an enigmatic figure named Bambi emerges, adding another layer of mystery to Seconds’ tumultuous journey.

SECONDS is a gripping tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last round. It’s time for Seconds to reclaim what is rightfully his—his family and his life. 💥

Make sure to mark your calendars for June 2nd and get ready for an adrenaline-pumping cinematic experience like no other. Stream SECONDS exclusively on Amazon Prime and witness the epic fight for redemption unfold before your eyes.

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When We Were Black (Season 2)

Length: 6 x 48 Mins, SABC 1

Awards: SAFTAS 2014, Best Supporting Actor, Deon Lotz

​It’s 1985. Political tension in the Cape Province is at an all-time high and the apartheid government declares a State of Emergency. Amidst this turmoil, Mandisa (Zandile Madiwa), a young dreamer with a golden voice, yearns to become the next Brenda Fassie. Her mother Rebecca (Andrea Dondolo) knows is that her darling child sings at their church in Langa, and that one day Mandisa will follow in her footsteps and become a nurse. When she comes home to find Mandisa singing along and dancing provocatively to Brenda Fassie’s “Weekend Special” on television, Rebecca is horrified. Rebecca tries to stop Mandisa from venturing out of the safety of childhood. She bans Mandisa from watching television, from improving her singing at MAPP (a venue in the “coloured” suburb of Athlone where art and musical ability is nurtured). Rebecca is pleased when Mandisa’s best friend, Jomo (Lemogang Tsipa), returns from his studies at Fort Hare. She is sure Jomo will contain Mandisa’s restlessness. Jomo has always been in love with Mandisa but her feelings for him are ambiguous. Mandisa is encouraged to go to MAPP by her teacher, Mistress, and Jomo agrees to take her there. In Athone, Mandisa encounters a world that will change her life forever. She meets a talented and appealing guitarist, Shaheed (Keenan Arrison), which leads to Mandisa joining his band. But there are deeper challenges within the band: three of its members: Shaheed (Keenan Arrison), Rachael (Kim Syster) and Zwelakhe (Mbulelo Grootbom) are MK operatives. They belong to a cell run by Benny Mahmood (Charlton Geogre), one of the most wanted cadres in the Cape Province – by the Security Branch. Headed by the recently appointed Kobus Landman (Deon Lotz), the Anti-Terrorist Unit is set on doing whatever it takes to take Benny down to quell the bombing in the area.

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Lovelife Campaign

We produced the loveLife Campaign over eight years (1999-2007), which we conceptualised, directed and produced over 7 campaigns per year, as well as loveLife Games the biggest youth sporting event in the world, documentaries and sport shows. We produced long running social reality TV series, ScamtogB x 3 seasons, loveLife Games x 6 Seasons, and Youth and Parent Commercials for TV, Radio and Billboards.

Awards; Voted the Best Youth Brand in Sunday Times.

  • Get Attitude
  • Endorsement Parent Campaign
  • Love to be there Campaign
  • Love them enough to talk about sex Campaign
  • Generic “Open Up” Campaign
  • Animated Billboards
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It Begins With You

2006- 2010 – it begins with you – 5 Campaigns for the African Broadcast Media Partnership consisting of 120”, 60″, 30″ and 10″ in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese.

We have produced, conceptualised and distributed the YOU campaign since 2006, Pan African Campaign broadcast across 38 countries on 150 broadcasters. Each country dubs the material into their local language.

  • Champions for a HIV free generation
  • Gender Equilty
  • Stigma
  • Hope for the future
  • Multiple concurrent partnerships
  • Radio drams 52 episodes – Can true love stand the test of time

Booklet for each campaign for the broadcaster to use in their programmes on radio or TV in 3 languages

Annual training workshop with producers from the various African broadcasters

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Lovelife (Seasons 1-3)

SEASON 1

South Africa’s first reality TV series brings you the ultimate loveLife experience. A world without a script where two teams of typical young South Africans will compete for their “vision of the future” in the spectacularly rugged terrain of the Eastern Cape. Face-to-face with nature and entirely dependent on each other, wrestling with physical and mental challenges, racing the clock to beat the odds these two teams strive to shape their future.

SEASON 2

S’camto gBs is back and this time two teams compete with each other living in the bush in the Limpopo Province. Racing against each other the objective is to outperform the other in tasks which are both physical and mental. This is not about bringing the other team down but by beating them through points gained by being humanitarians. In the wild bush of Mpumalanga – an area populated with leopards, crocodiles, snakes and a variety of insects – the groundBREAKERS will have to navigate their way through this adventure and face challenges every day. The bush environment symbolises their own rite of passage and journey into adulthood, where they encounter obstacles in everyday life. It’s not just about food and shelter for the teams, but also about personal and individual growth.

SEASON 3

Now in its third season S’camtogB goes global engaging young people from around the world in a journey exploring aspirations and challenges that young people face in an increasingly globalized world. This social adventure profiles six young South Africans from diverse backgrounds as they travel the world in search of other young people who share similar dreams for their lives. Visit the world with the gB’s as they travel to Uganda, India, Mozambique, New York, Brazil and Hong Kong. Together these individuals collaborate in a challenging project designed to expose them to one another’s life experience, challenges and expectations. At the same time the show serves as a forum for the local and foreign gBs to discuss issues of youth leadership, youth culture and concerns on a global platform! See how Proverb, Ntsiki Mazwai, Pales Mokubung and others showcase their path to success.

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Imagine Afrika (Seasons 1-2)

Season 1

Twelve outstanding young achievers from across Africa tackle some of the continent’s toughest challenges and promote the goal of an HIV-free generation in Season 2 of this social adventure reality show. This year three teams compete with one another in Abidjan, Mombasa and Soweto. They take on tough development challenges, and the team that’s the most effective, innovative, and mobilises the youngest people, will win

Season 2

Filmed in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, this series goes inside the lives of nine dynamic characters selected for their compelling and challenging life circumstances. Through the eyes of three former Imagine Afrika contestants, viewers get to explore the characters’ day‐to‐day lives, hopes, challenges and aspirations; and share in their personal triumphs and traumas as they struggle with issues related to youth lifestyle, vulnerable children and prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV.

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From Underground to the Corridors of Power

From Underground to the corridors of power offers a critical look into the formation of the Nation Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982, with materials sourced from extensive archives. This documentary  centers on the miners struggle for living wages and better working conditions.

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