THIS is a film that will move audiences to tears. It’s a hard-hitting and disturbing tale of abuse on many levels.
Thankfully, it was left in the hands of one of South Africa’s phenomenal storytellers, Sara Blecher, who was sensitive not just to the treatment of the story, but to the brave cast as well.
The movie is based on Anchien Troskie’s fictionalised autobiographies, Dis Ek, Anna and Die Staat Teen Anna Bruwer.
It’s a harrowing tale of an adult, nearing 30, coming to terms with her eight years of sexual abuse by her stepfather and what finally makes her snap and kill the man who ruined her life.
At the movie’s first screening, Blecher shared: “You know, to be honest, I really tried not to do this film. There are too many people whom I knew whose story this was. It was too close to me. But in South Africa, one in three women are abused. That’s how prevalent this is in our country. I think having the courage to tell the story – for the writer of the book as well – is important.”
For lead actress Charlenè Brouwer the film struck a chord, with older generations in her family coming forth with their stories.
She notes: “In this film, my sadness isn’t necessarily your sadness. We have suicide, we have abuse – sexually, physically and emotionally. This is why this story is so important to tell. In some way, it affects all of us. We are trying to raise a generation where, in 10 years, this won’t be going on. A child can’t speak for itself, but adults can.
“This book has been translated into six languages. The one in Dutch is called Silent Anna. We need to break the silence.”
The actress who played young Anna, Izel Bezuidenhout, was also moved by her character’s journey.
She noted: “For me, rehearsals were very important. It helped a lot in discovering how to play the character and how she should feel. Also, working with Morné Visser was wonderful because I could trust him with everything. He was amazing.”
Although the actress received much empathy from the audience, it was, ironically, Visser who was most emotional from the cast.
On the verge of tears, he admitted: “It was very hard to do this film because I’m also a father. But, I’m also an actor. I think if you’re not willing to do this part in South Africa, then why the f**k act? If you are not willing to tell stories that matter, then I don’t want to be an actor. I didn’t create the character, he is real. We needed an actor to portray this character. It is not something I ever fantasised playing, but I knew I might be called to do it. We had a week to create a safe space to work. I remember after every scene, Izel would say: ‘Are you okay?’
“Everyone’s been so amazing, I couldn’t have done it otherwise.”
Marius Weyers, Dawid Minnaar, Elize Cawood, Hykie Berg, Kara van der Merwe and Fezile Mpela round up the stellar cast.
Dis Ek, Anna is a powerfully moving movie, with first-rate production values and brilliant performances.
l Dis Ek, Anna marked its debut at DIFF 2015. The movie is showing again at Suncoast at 7pm, tonight. It will be opening nationwide on October 30.