Film inspired by apartheid plight of d irector’s mom

PHUMI Morare finds herself at a loss for words.

Several days may have passed since she received news that her latest film

Lakutshon’ Ilanga had been shortlisted for an Academy Award, but the Johannesburg-born director and writer said the achievement hasn’t fully sunk in.

“It feels quite unreal but extremely exciting,” Morare said. “I would never have dreamed that this film, which was my thesis for my Master’s degree at Chapman University, would travel this far.”

Two weeks ago, she received what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting calls of her directing career when she was informed that Lakutshon’

Ilanga (When the sun sets) had been shortlisted for a 2022 Academy Award in the Live Action Short Film category.

The film, which focuses on a woman who desperately tries to save her brother from an horrific fate, is based on a true story inspired by Morare’s mother and touches on violence against freedom fighters in South Africa during apartheid.

Upon hearing the news, Morare said she immediately picked up the phone to call her mother, and other family members and friends to relay the good news. “I was very, very surprised and in awe,” she said.

The film, which features Zikhona Bali, Aphiwe Mkefe and Thembekile Mathe, won a gold medal at the 2021 Student Academy Awards, the 2021 HBO Short Film Competition at the 2021 American Black Film Festival, and was nominated for a 2021 Student Bafta award.

The film, which was shot in Johannesburg, focuses on a young, black nurse in 1985 apartheid South Africa who must face her worst fears when she learns that her activist younger brother may be in danger when he doesn't return after school.

Morare said the film was inspired by a gruelling moment in her mother’s life during apartheid. “My mother had to find a way to save her younger brother from police abduction. When she told me this story, I was in awe of her courage and I was amazed that the woman standing in front of me was the same woman who had that heroism. It also haunted me because I thought of all of the things that could’ve happened to her and my uncle.”

Morare said she felt it was important to share the true story of a black woman’s transcendence through oppression. Her mother was one of the first people to see the film and she was delighted with the final product.

The film opens and closes with a song called Lakutshon’ Ilanga which was created by Miriam Makeba.

It is a poetic lament of someone waiting and searching for a loved one who disappeared during apartheid and never comes home. The song is a tribute to those who remain disappeared after police kidnapping.

Morare said when the film went into production, she chose to separate the film from the idea that it was her mother’s story “so that I wouldn’t have that pressure looming over me”.

“I’m hoping to share a perspective of South African history from the lens of an ordinary black woman and to honour the strength and courage of black mothers. I’m extremely excited to be sharing my film with the world.”