The Number
2016/2017 “The Number” – based on an award-winning Book by Jonny Steinberg, produced by Carolyn Carew, with Executive Producers Tsholo Mashile, Anant Singh, Sanjeev Singh (VideoVision Entertainment) . Premiered Toronto International Film Festival 2017
The Number is the extraordinary tale of the nigh-impossible redemption of high-ranking Magadien, a Magistrate of the The Number, one of the notorious Numbers prison gangs. The film is set in an overcrowded South African prison, peopled by cruel warders and hardened tattooed men in regulation orange overalls. Between the cells, corridors, showers and exercise yard, we discover how the Numbers operate. Strict codes govern each gang and brutal discipline is administered swiftly and without sentiment. From the first, Magadien stands apart from the crowd, participating in The Number activities but questioning his choices. This will put him at risk, for the Numbers demand total loyalty, inside and out of jail. When Warden Jacobs is appointed, he still believes in the goodness of men. He focuses his efforts on Magadien to bring about fundamental change in a flawed and self-perpetuating system of violence and abuse.